Antonio Conte Finally Opens Up About John Mikel Obi’s Chelsea Furniture

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has admitted for the first time that midfielder Mikel John Obi is unlikely to get a new deal.

It was revealed last month that the Nigeria international has already been told that his time at the club will end after 11 years in 2017.

The 29-year-old has not been named in a matchday squad all season, but Conte claims he may not be transferred next month.

It was also revealed earlier this week that he is already considering a move to Shanghai SIPG in the new year.

Conte said: “The situation with Obi Mikel is simple: he’s in the squad. He stays with us. We know that, at the end of the season, probably his contract will expire.

“But I don’t know what happens now. He’s a player who is part of this squad, and every single game I take my decision about him.”

“Would I like him to get a new contract? I don’t think this is the place to talk about this. If I have to talk about the contracts of my players, I prefer to do it in the right place with my club.”