Conte insists Mikel could play, despite being in dark over Chelsea future

The Blues manager has hinted he and the club are happy to allow the midfielder’s contract to expire in the summer but have not ruled out fielding him until then

Antonio Conte has hinted Chelsea are happy to allow John Obi Mikel’s contract to expire in the summer but says he could still deploy the midfielder this season.

The Nigeria captain’s season was disrupted after he went to the Olympics to win a bronze medal in September as Chelsea finished their pre-season preparations and went into the first few matches of the campaign.

Conte has since favoured the likes of N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic, Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Nathaniel Chalobah over his 29-year-old, who is yet to make an appearance so far this term.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against West Brom on Sunday, Conte said: “The situation with Obi Mikel is simple: he’s in the squad. He stays with us.

“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.”

Mikel’s lack of game time has attracted many clubs who feel they can secure the midfielder in January including the likes of Marseille and Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG.

However, Mikel’s agent John Shittu told Goal last week that his client is just as likely to sign a new deal as he is to leave, but will be able to talk with clubs in January with his contract expiring on 30 June 2017.