Super Eagles Coach Lifts The Lid On Mikel Winston Bogarde Role At Chelsea

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has suggested that his captain John Obi Mikel has found himself frozen out of the first team at Chelsea because of his commitment to the Nigeria cause when he opted to represent the Dream Team at the Olympic Games.

The holding midfielder missed a large portion of pre-season training, and has not played a single game for the Blues since his return to Stamford Bridge in August.

“We spoke about Mikel when I was at Chelsea last month,” Rohr told reporters.

“He trains very well with the team but he is being punished for deciding to go to the Olympic Games for Nigeria.

“I will play him here because he is training well and doing very well for us. I cannot punish him for deciding to make a sacrifice for Nigeria.”

Rohr hinted that the 29-year-old will play the full game against the Desert Foxes so long as he does not show any sign of fatigue.

Igho Kingsley