Claims by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte that Super Eagles skipper John Obi Mikel was dropped from the squad that faced Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League last weekend due to a muscular injury are incorrect.

A source close to Mikel has revealed that the Italian boss and the holding midfielder have a frosty relationship and he is seeking an exit from Stamford Bridge in the winter transfer market.

“Mikel is not injured and is bothered why he is not being played by Antonio Conte. The coach was looking for an excuse not to play him, ” a top source told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“There are many offers he is studying and he will decide the new club he will join in December. ”

The 29-year-old is attracting interest from teams in Spain, France, England and China ahead of the January transfer window.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel