Former Chelsea youth team player Emmanuel Sarki has revealed captain of the senior national team of Nigeria John Obi Mikel wasn’t fairly treated by manager Antonio Conte.
According to Sarki the treatment star forward Diego Costa is currently getting from the manager is nothing close to what former Chelsea ace Mikel suffered in the hands of the Italian coach.
Costa is currently banished from the first team of the Premier League champions after a bust up with Conte last season, which lead to the manager sending him a message during the off season that his services is no longer needed at the club.
According to Sarki who was on the books of Chelsea until 2009, Mikel faced worst under Conte but the gentleman nature of the Tiajin Teda star helped calm what would have been similar to the Costa’s issues.
” I was told how Conte treated Mikel after his decision to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic. He was granted permission to go by Conte under one condition, which was you might not get a look in upon your return”, Sarki told Owngoalnigeria.com
” Mikel was told by the same man who granted him permission to represent Nigeria at the Olympic upon his return that his services isn’t needed anymore.
“Even when the coach of the national team of Nigeria (Gernot Rohr) pleaded for Mikel to be allowed to play U23 games to build up his fitness, Conte still didn’t bulge. How painful he didn’t give Mikel the chance to say goodbye to fans who have stood by him for ten and half seasons.
” Costa’s case is mild to be honest, Mikel went through worst but never said or acted wild as he is someone who doesn’t talk much and hardly react negatively to issues “.
Osas Mahawi
