The Nigeria international, whose current contract is set to expire next summer, has failed to make an appearance for the Blues so far this season.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed to Goal.com that he would be interested in joining former teammate Frank Lampard in MLS in the future.
Mikel, 29, is currently Chelsea’s second longest-serving player after captain John Terry, having been with the club since the summer of 2006 and made 372 appearances across all competitions.
However, the Nigeria international has not featured under new manager Antonio Conte so far this term following the arrival of N’Golo Kante and now faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
His contract is set to expire next summer and the Super Eagles skipper admits that he will have to explore his options in the January transfer window if playing time continues to prove hard to come by over the next few months.
His old midfield partner Lampard is currently enjoying success with MLS side New York City FC, netting 12 goals in his last 15 games after overcoming a tough start to life in the States, and Mikel would be open to making the move across the Atlantic himself should his situation at Chelsea fails to improve.
“There was absolutely no doubt that Frank wouldn’t go out there and succeed,” the Blues veteran told Goal.com. “I am happy that he is back to his best, doing what he loves to do and, one day, who knows, I may go over there and play with him, or play against him.
“When you have a year left, in January you are allowed to talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contract or have an agreement so, yes, I will talk to other clubs because you never know what is going to happen.”
Nevertheless, Mikel also stressed that he has not given up hope of saving his Chelsea career and remains confident that he can compete with Kante and Nemanja Matic for a place in Conte’s side.
“I know it is going to be difficult for me to get back into the team because I have missed the whole preseason [because of the Olympics],” he added to Goal.com. “The manager obviously has his philosophy of the way he wants to play and I need time to get back into the way he wants to do things.
“It will be difficult, but it is one challenge that I am looking forward to. Like everyone knows I don’t run away from a challenge.”
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