After over a decade and multiple managers, John Obi Mikel’s time at Chelsea is gradually drawing to a close.
There has been no shortage of suitors for him, with interest ranging from England to cash-rich China. His team are tight-lipped about his next destination although sources within the camp have told ESPN FC they are considering all the options. While the China offer looks good from a financial point of view, it may not be the right move at this time.
Here are three reasons why Mikel must stay in Europe …
1. The quality of football
Mikel may not be the best paid player in the Premier League, and could earn a boatload of money taking his skills to China. In fact, dizzying figures of around £170,000-a-week have been mentioned with respect to a potential China move. That is not quite in the same range as the £400,000-a-week figure some players earn in the same league, but is still a mighty big pull for any player.
However, at 29, Mikel still has more than a few good years of top level football left in him, and a move to China would signal a final winding down of his career.
2. Nigeria need their captain in Europe
It has been less than a year since Mikel was named Nigeria captain. In that time, he has shown exemplary leadership qualities, leading the team to Olympic bronze and guiding them to the top of a very difficult World Cup qualifying group that includes Algeria and Cameroon.
His off-field leadership aside, his on-pitch role is critical to Nigeria. Despite not playing for Chelsea, his performances with his country have been phenomenal and the major driving force behind the Super Eagles’ good results.
That role could be compromised by the long distance flying time from China and back. Mikel at less than hundred percent when he shows up for Nigeria could prove detrimental to their 2018 World Cup qualification hopes.
3. Family
What the last year has shown is that Mikel is committed to family and that also appears to have helped his game, at least based on what he has shown with Nigeria.
He has recently become a father to twin children and it is hard to see him uprooting his young family to China.
Sources have told ESPN FC that will be a priority consideration in any potential move, which makes such a significant change highly improbable.
Mikel is Chelsea’s current second longest serving player and he won’t be leaving Chelsea on loan this January.
The Nigerian has been frozen out of the first team set up at Chelsea by coach Antonio Conte, but even though he will most definitely leave the team in January, a loan move won’t be the case.
Per FIFA regulations a player in the final six months of his deal can’t leave on loan to another team, and Mikel is in the final six months of his contact at Chelsea after 11 years at the club.
Mikel can only leave on a permanent transfer which best explains the reason why the Super Eagles captain is weighing up offers properly before committing to any of the clubs interested in his services.
Inter-Milan, Marseille and three teams in China namely Shanghai SIPG, Hebei Fortune and Shanghai Shenhua have all enquire about his availability this winter, when the transfer window opens.
It is however believed that Mikel wants to remain in Europe, due to family reasons instead of a move to China where he will definitely earn more.
