John obi Mikel has not been unavailable for some crucial matches for the Nigerian national team and this has led to former coach Austin Eguavoen stating that it is up to the player to choose his international career.

It has recently been revealed that Mikel did not answer repeated calls from the Nigerian FA to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania. The nation were crowned as champions only a few years ago and Mikel was an instrumental part of the team. However, he is coming into the time when players consider their international careers in order to focus on club football.

Newcastle United legend and BBC pundit Alan Shearer reckons that Chelsea were certainly not helped by the lack of defensive support from Cesc Fabregas in the recent 3-0 loss against Manchester City.

Chelsea suffered this immense setback against their title rivals in only the fourth match of the season. The team failed to start the season with a win after only drawing against Swansea on the opening day, and hav stuttered for form since.

The performances of Fabregas have come under the radar once again, as the Spaniard has not been able to match his high standards set at the same stage last season.

Former Nigeria international Sam Sodje is of the opinion that Chelsea midfielder John obi Mikel should stay at Chelsea and fight for his position.

The 28-year-old looked almost certain to leave the club in this transfer window. However, Chelsea’s failure to secure the signing of Paul Pogba before transfer deadline day has left him facing another six months at Stamford Bridge. It is clear that he is no longer the first choice at Chelsea. For several years – after the departure of Mourinho in his first spell, Mikel was the first team regular at Chelsea. He was seen as the replacement for Claude Makelele.

John obi Mikel has decided to end his decade-long Chelsea career after reportedly agreeing a move to Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain.

Mikel moved to Chelsea back in 2007 and he was seen as the ideal replacement for Claude Makelele, who was about to retire during that period. Even though he was used to being an attacking midfielder throughout his career, Mikel adapted to this role and performed exceedingly well during his initial years. In recent times, though, the disadvantages of the Nigerian midfielder have been coming to light and this has seen him get less first-team opportunities.

After making just 12 league appearances so far this campaign, it looks like John obi Mikel is coming to the end of his glittering Chelsea career.

The Nigerian international has won several major trophies including the Champions League during his long spell with the blues. He had joined Chelsea as a teenager back in 2007. Now after 10 years, Mikel is believed to be on the verge of an exit after falling down the pecking order. Nemanja Matic, who was brought to the club in a £ 20 million deal from Benfica, has been a regular first-team player.

John obi Mikel is one of longest serving Chelsea players having been at the club since 2007. Even though the arrival of Nemanja Matic for £ 26 million last January threatened to send him out of the club, he has managed to soldier on.
Mikel has not been a first-team regular for Chelsea this season, but he has been useful as a backup player to Matic. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho recently confirmed that the midfielder will not be available for up to a month after undergoing an ankle surgery. He will miss the crucial game against Paris St Germain at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has been voted as one of the favourites to take over from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the best player in the world by former Belgium defender Eric Gerets.

Hazard is easily regarded as the best player for Belgium right now. The 23-year-old moved to Chelsea in a £ 35 million deal and has instantly been effective. A number of clubs were looking to sign him, but the youngster chose Chelsea. Since moving to West London, he has progressed in a number of ways. Last season was one of his best after scoring 17 goals in 49 matches.

John obi Mikel has come under criticism recently after his poor performances for Chelsea and Nigeria. However, Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi says that the 27-year-old still continues to have tremendous quality.

Nigeria were expected to be one of the African nations to do well at the World Cup 2014 after having won the Africa Cup of Nations just a year ago. However, losses against France and poor performances in the other group matches meant that they were unable to get past the last 16 round. Mikel has been very ineffective in the qualification matches for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelsea midfielder John obi Mikel has expressed his delight at seeing Didier Drogba back at Chelsea once again. The Ivory Coast international left the blues in 2012 after eight years at the club. During this period, he firmly established himself as one of the best players in the history of Chelsea by scoring more than 150 league goals. He remains as one of the top scorers of all time. Drogba was recently brought back to the club by manager Jose Mourinho on a one-year contract in order to soften the loss of Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o.

The manager of the Nigeria national football team, Stephen Keshi, has left his post after the defeat of the Super Eagles in the pre quarter final round of the FIFA World Cup 2014.

Nigeria suffered a 0-2 defeat against France a couple of days back to get knocked out of the biggest international event.

Keshi didn’t do a bad job as coach for Nigeria in the tournament and was not in danger of being sacked, but, despite that, he opted to quit taking the full responsibility of the defeat against France on his shoulders.

However, there have been rumours that the main reason behind Keshi’s resignation is his willingness to take over as South Africa manager.

This is the second time that Keshi has resigned as the Super Eagles boss. He had done that last year as well when Nigeria had achieved the Africa Cup glory, but, he eventually had agreed to carry on after being convinced by the association.