Midfielder linked with summer exit: ‘Representing Chelsea is a privilege’

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John Obi Mikel has been speaking about his nine-year career with the Blues.

The Nigerian joined Chelsea when he was 18 and, at 27, he is the club’s third-longest serving player.

Rather than provide Mikel with security, however, his long years at Stamford Bridge have somewhat fueled speculation that the midfielder could be on his way out of west London this summer.

Frequently, Chelsea are quoted as wanting to sell the player but Mikel has spoken of a bond he shares with boss Jose Mourinho.

For him, it is a ‘privilege’ to represent Chelsea and he hopes to pass on his accumulated wisdom to some of the Blues’ new signings.

“I’ve been in this team for a long time now,” he told Chelsea’s official website. “I came when I was 18 and I’m 27 now. Time flies.

“I’ve seen the good times and I’ve enjoyed the good times with this team. At the same time I’ve shared bad times with the likes of John Terry and Petr Cech.

“You always expect to win trophies every year so I’m sure the new players that have come in will help us win more trophies.

“They will know what representing this team is all about. Wearing the blue shirt and representing Chelsea is a privilege. I’m sure they will learn from us and we will be able to teach them one or two things.”

Mikel found first-team football harder to come by last term, making just 24 Premier League appearances for Mourinho’s men.

As Opta stats show, 13 of them were from the bench, with only Demba Ba and Andre Schurrle making more substitute appearances.

Mikel looks focused enough on his Chelsea career for now. But August is a long month; if the Blues need to sell a non-homegrown player, the Nigerian’s name might come into consideration.