After a near-decade of loyal service, John Obi Mikel says he has no intention of leaving Chelsea.
The 28-year-old Nigerian, the Blues’ second-longest serving player behind John Terry, is currently in the United States preparing for his 10th season with José Mourinho’s side.
Mikel has been linked with moves to the United Arab Emirates club al-Ain and the Turkish side Fenerbahce this summer but he insists he will see out the remaining two years of his contract in west London.
“I want to stay and the manager wants me to stay,” he told the club website. “I’ve got two years here and I’m happy. I like to be somewhere where I have developed friends and family. It’s like my family here and every day I come to work it is like coming in to see my family.
“I know all the players and all the staff so it’s going to be a hard place to leave when my contract runs out but let’s see what happens. I want to see out my two years.”
With 339 appearances in all competitions, the Super Eagles kingpin is in the 25th spot on the all-time appearance list for Chelsea, one ahead of Ashley Cole.
There is also cheering news for fellow Nigerian, Victor Moses.
The forward, who returned to the Stamford Bridge after his loan move to Stoke City, has been assigned the No. 20 jersey, which was so well associated with Deco during his spell with the ‘Roman Army.’
Mikel and Moses are in line to feature in Saturday’s pre-season game against Paris Saint-Germain in Canada.
