Chelsea Hero Mikel Reveals He Advised Victor Moses To Shun Olympics; His Poor Relationship With Conte

Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has revealed that he advised Victor Moses to shun an invitation to be part of Nigeria's squad to the 2016 Olympic Games and has admitted that he had a poor relationship with Antonio Conte, which made him quit Chelsea in January 2017.

Moses was among the overage players considered by Samson Siasia to beef up the Dream Team VI, along with Mikel, Odion Ighalo, Godfrey Oboabona and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

The winger had to stay back at Chelsea and fight for a first team spot during pre-season training with new coach Conte which eventually paid off as he was registered by The Blues for the Premier League for the first time in four seasons.

''When that opportunity came up - either to go to Rio Olympics or play for Chelsea - I decided to tell Victor Moses because I was older, he's young, he hasn't played yet for the club. I told him I'll go and he stays back,'' Mikel said in an interview with the Super Eagles Media team.

''If I lose my place it's fine, Victor stayed and I went. I came back, the manager never spoke to me again, didn't put me in the team and I said okay fine, I'll leave.

''The commitment and love that I have for my country will never change until I stop playing.

''Right now it will be difficult to find young players who will be able to do that for the national team because the agents make money from the clubs.''

Mikel is the first and only player to represent Nigeria at the U17, U20 and senior World Cups, Olympic Games and Confederations Cup.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel