The Nigeria captain has yet to play a single Premier League match for the Stamford Bridge side since the beginning of the season. Mikel is working hard to play his way back into the team.
“Fighting every day for my place, like all the guys are. Focus, work hard,” the 2013 Europa League winner wrote on Twitter.
Former Italy manager Conte is allegedly not happy with Mikel for opting to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he helped the national Under-23 team win bronze (Nigeria’s only medal at the competition).
Mikel, who was signed by the then manager of Chelsea Jose Mourinho in 2016, has however turned in a pair of impressive performances for the Super Eagles, guiding them to a 1-0 victory over Tanzania in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo in September followed by their 2-1 win against Zambia in their 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ndola on October 9.
With criticisms flying from all directions for his lack of match action at his London club, Mikel has apparently moved to save his club career.
Mikel is competing with in-form N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic for a role in defensive midfield and the player, who represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, confirmed on Tuesday he had spoken to Coach Conte about his frustrations at the club.
“I hope I will get some playing time against West Ham, but it is down to the manager,” Mikel said.
