Why I Left Chelsea In 2017 – Mikel Obi Reveals

Former Nigerian professional footballer and Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has disclosed why he departed from Chelsea in 2017.

Speaking in the latest episode of the Vibe with Five podcast, Obi said after Antonio Conte became the club manager, he and Victor Moses were asked to play for the Nigerian national team (Super Eagles) at the Olympics.

According to him, Conte warned they would no longer be part of his team if they leave. Mikel said he convinced Moses to stay, but he went to the Olympics. Upon his return, Conte demoted him to the reserve team.

Mikel said: “Conte was the reason why I left [Chelsea]. Once he came in, he was like, ‘You’re not playing anymore.’ Then I left. Obviously, when I saw Conte coming into the club, I was like, ‘My time here is done.’

“The only reason is when he came in, me and Victor Moses and we got invited to the [Nigerian] national team for the Olympics. So, I had a conversation with the club and he [Conte] said, ‘If you go, you’re not playing anymore for the club. Because I’m a new manager, we need to think about the club.’

“And I was like, ‘You know what? I’ve been invited to represent the country at the Olympics.’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, but if you go just know that your time here is done.’

“So, I talked to Victor to stay back. I said, ‘I’ve been here a long time. I’ve won everything that I needed to win. You’re just coming, so you should stay.’ And he accepted. So, Victor stayed, and I went. After the tournament, when I came back, that was it. He [Conte] never spoke to me. He sent me to the reserve team. I was training with the reserves. Then, I started training alone for a while. For like six months, I did this.”

Naija News recalls that Mikel left Chelsea in 2017 for the Chinese side, Tianjin TEDA.