The Nigerian midfielder, 29, is the second-longest serving player at Stamford Bridge but has found himself frozen out — and with his contract expiring, no fresh talks are planned.
Antonio Conte has not picked Mikel in a matchday squad and having been first choice under just six months ago, the Nigerian is now as low as sixth or seventh in his midfield pecking order.It is fast becoming an inevitability that 2017 will be the last of Mikel’s 11 years at Chelsea with his contract up in the summer.
Sources close to the player have told Sportsmail that the two-time Premier League title winner will walk out at the end of the season with no shame if this proves to be the end.
No new negotiations have been scheduled and it would take a significant turnaround for an extended stay to come to fruition.
Mikel continues to work with Conte’s first-team squad looking to win back a place but a late start to the season and difficulties with minor injuries have curtailed him.
Fitness has been a problem in that sense, while Mikel is not seen as quick or energetic enough to perform to the same level as Ngolo Kante or Nemanja Matic in terms of the requirements of the way the Blues’ midfield works.
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