Chelsea coach, Conte says midfielder is still part of the club

Conte insists that the player is still part of the club until his contract expires at the end of the season.

John Mikel Obi is still part of the Chelsea squad according to club boss, Antonio Conte.

Mikel Obi is yet to play for Chelsea this season under Conte and has been reported to leave the club in the January transfer window.

Conte, however, insists that the player is still part of the club until his contract expires at the end of the season.

“Mikel is in the squad now. At the end of this season, his contract will expire but it is not right to talk now beyond that,” Conte said on Friday, December 9 ahead of the Premier League visit of West Brom.

Latest reports suggest that Mikel Obi is considering a move China to reunite with his former manager, Andre Villas-Boas at Shanghai SIPG.

Mikel and Villas-Boas worked together during the Portuguese manager’s time at Chelsea in the 2011–2012 season.