Mikel ‘rejected mega offers’ in hope of Chelsea stay

Oli Fisher
John Obi Mikel: Linked with Man Utd move

John Obi Mikel reportedly rejected offers from Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in January in a bid to impress Chelsea and try and secure a new deal.

The 29-year-old attracted interest from the pair in January, with reports claiming he could have doubled his salary to £110,000 a week, though the Nigerian rejected their advances to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel has spent 10 years in West London, playing over 230 times for the Blues.

However, earlier in the season playing time became a problem for Mikel having fallen down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.

He pulled no punches in his assessment of Mourinho, in an interview with Goal.

“I think confidence is everything, if a manager doesn’t believe in you, trust me there’s no way you can succeed,” Mikel stated.

“Even if you do things right he would always make sure he finds fault. People change in any walk of life, maybe he decided he wanted to do better in a different way and he didn’t need me any more.

“He didn’t have the belief that he had in me before, which is fine because every manager has the player that they have trust in.”

Since Guus Hiddink’s return as interim manager, Mikel has been on a resurgence in form, starting every game this calendar year except for Newcastle at home and Norwich away.

Mikel’s agent John Shittu alerted suitors in March by stating his client has not yet decided his future.

“Chelsea have approached him for an extension,” Shittu explained.

“But he said after the season he’ll decide. He has many teams interested – almost three clubs in China want him.”