Former Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel has opened up on the real reason behind his exit from Chelsea back in 2017, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 2013 AFCON winner joined the West London club in controversial circumstances in 2006, in a deal that also involved rivals Manchester United. He went on to spend 11 very successful years in West London before moving to Tianjin TEDA in the Chinese Super League.
The former Nigerian midfielder ended his Chelsea career with 372 appearances across all competitions, winning 11 major trophies and he left in January 2017 after a mutual agreement with the club.
Mikel Obi reveals reason for Chelsea exit
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi was a key part of the Chelsea squad since his arrival at the club until things took a turn following the arrival of Antonio Conte in the summer of 2016.
The Italian had already signed French midfielder N'Golo Kanté from Leicester City, adding serious competition to the team and things became even more complicated when Mikel, alongside compatriot Victor Moses, received a call-up to represent Nigeria at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil.
However, the tournament clashed with pre-season and extended into the start of the 2016-17 season. Conte was against the decision, but Mikel chose to go ahead, which ultimately contributed to his exile from the first team and eventual departure.
Speaking during an episode of Vibe with Five podcast, the former Nigerian midfielder explained how things unfolded under Conte and why he left in 2017.
“Conte was the reason why I left. Once he came in, he was like ‘you’re not playing anymore’, then I left. Obviously when I saw Kante as well coming to the club I was like my time here is done”, Mikel Obi said.
“The only reason I talked about was when he came in, I and Victor Moses got invited to go to the national team Olympics, so I had a conversation with the club and he (Conte) said I would not play for the club anymore if I decide to go. He said ‘I’m a new manager and I’m here, we need to think about the team and the club.’ And he made it clear that my time was done if I decide to go.”
While Mikel was strongly advised against representing Nigeria at the tournament, he chose to honour the call-up, which then contributed to his departure.
“And I was like, ‘You know what? I’ve been invited to represent the country at the Olympics.’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, but if you go just know that your time here is done.’
“I had a hard time when I came back. He never spoke to me and sent me to the reserve team where I was training, and I started training alone for a while, for like six months. I knew my time was done, and I remember there was a period when the team started playing really, really badly.
“Then he called me and told me about the club’s performance and also asked if I wanted to come back. I declined because I had already made up my mind to leave anyway. I spoke to a few guys including Didier Drogba and he told me to find something new when things happen like it did”, Mikel Obi concluded.
Mikel Obi captained Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, as they made history by becoming the first country to win all three Olympic football medals (gold, silver and bronze).
Meanwhile, he went on to play for the likes of Middlesbrough, Trabzonspor and Stoke City, before announcing his retirement from football in 2022.
