Antonio Conte set to offer new role to star midfielder in an attempt to keep him at the club
Sep 8, 2016 at 7:40 PM
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is reportedly planning to offer midfielder John Obi Mikel a new role in the team in an attempt to keep the Nigeria international at the Stamford Bridge. As per reports, the former Juventus boss is planning to play the 29-year old more in the opposition half rather than playing him as a deep midfielder.
Mikel, who signed for the Blues ten years ago from Norwegian club Lyn, was initially expected to play the role of playmaker for the West London club but he was more used as a holding fielder. And now that Premier League winning midfielder N’Golo Kante has arrived at Chelsea, it is quite clear that Conte will prefer him along with Nemanja Matic in that role. But at the same time he is desperate to keep an experienced campaigner like Mikel at the club.
Mikel, who is yet to lay for Chelsea under Conte as he was participating in the ecently concluded Rio 2016, plays as a playmaker in his national team and Conte is willing to offer him a similar role so that he signs a new deal with the Blues.
According to reports in OwnGoalNigeria, the Italian tactician had a talk with Mikel about the latter’s role in the team.
A source close to the midfielder told OwnGoalNigeria: “Mikel and Conte had a chat about his role in the team, although he has been assured he will be played in the role that suits him the more by the manager.
“He is also ready to fill in anywhere he is needed for the team.”
Meanwhile, after winning the opening three games, Chelsea will be hoping to continue their wining momentum when they take on Swansea City after the international break.