John Obi Mikel lack of playing time at English Premier League side Chelsea, according to the coach of the Nigeria senior national team Gernot Rohr is based on issues outside football.
Mikel is yet to play a competitive game under coach Antonio Conte this season, which happens to he his 11th at Stamford Brige. A record that makes him the second oldest player in the team bar captain John Terry.
Rohr during the Super Eagles media parley was asked about his opinion on the lack of game time, the captain of the Super Eagles is currently enduring and the Franco German coach who recently went to Chelsea to speak with the team’s hierarchy over Mikel’s situation defended his captain.
” Mikel was punished by Chelsea for playing at the Olympics for Nigeria. The new coach tried convincing him to stay but he went to defend his nation. I cannot punish him for not playing in his club” He said.
On his part Mikel voiced out his unhappiness over his lack of playing time but insist it does happen to players, and he is no exception.
” It’s not a good one but it does happen to players”.
