Mikel still relevant —Rohr

SUPER Eagles’ chief coach, Gernot Rohr, has said Mikel Obi remains part of his plans in spite of his travails at Chelsea.
Rohr, Mikel, Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte and Technical Director Michael Emenalo on Wednesday held talks over the player’s future and came to the conclusion that he was no longer in Chelsea’s future plans.
“He is still a big figure in our plans,” Rohr told The Evening Standard.
“Mikel is Nigeria’s captain and for him to have that status, it is expected he will be a club regular. I thank Mr Conte for being frank with us and the way Mikel took everything suggests big maturity and professionalism. He is always welcome [at the Eagles], he is our captain”.
Rohr added that it happens in the life of a footballer when he would be more useful to his country than his club.
Mikel left Chelsea midway into pre-season sessions to join Nigeria’s U-23 campaign at the Rio Olympics and got Conte’s blessing as the Italian trainer asked him to bring Olympic gold. In the end Nigeria finished with bronze medal.
Rohr has been on tour of England to discuss with the managements and coaches of Nigerian players in the English Premier League.
The Franco-German also plans to visit Nigeria’s first choice in goal, Carl Ikeme, in the lower League with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The tour is part of preparations towards the November 12 Africa Group 2 of the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo.