Mikel Obi has revealed fresh details about the end of his long spell at Chelsea, directly blaming Antonio Conte for forcing him out of the club in 2017. The former Super Eagles captain spoke candidly on the Vibe with Five podcast, explaining how his decision to represent Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games led to a breakdown in his relationship with the Italian manager.
Conte's Ultimatum Over Olympics
According to Mikel, Conte made it clear that if he traveled to Rio for the Olympics, his time at Chelsea would be over. Despite the warning, Mikel honored his national team commitment, joining the Nigerian U-23 squad alongside Victor Moses. This decision, he said, came at a significant cost to his club career.
Frozen Out and Sent to Reserves
Upon returning from the Olympics, Mikel found himself completely sidelined. Conte stopped speaking to him and relegated him to train with the reserve team for six months. The Nigerian midfielder, who had spent 11 successful years at Stamford Bridge, was effectively cut off from first-team activities.
Although Conte later offered Mikel a way back into the squad during a difficult period for Chelsea, the midfielder had already made up his mind to leave. The arrival of N'Golo Kante further increased competition in midfield, but Mikel insists the manager's stance was the deciding factor.
A Trophy-Laden Career Ends Abruptly
Mikel left Chelsea in January 2017, officially by mutual consent, but the player now reveals the reality was far more personal. During his time at Chelsea, Mikel won 11 major trophies, including the Champions League and two Premier League titles. His exit marked a difficult end to one of the most successful chapters of his career.
Mikel's story echoes Conte's later handling of Victor Osimhen at Napoli, where the coach's strict, no-compromise approach was again evident. For Mikel, the experience was a sudden shift in trust and opportunity after years of consistent service.
Related Context
In another development, Mikel Obi also opened up about why Chelsea rejected John Terry's offer to serve as interim coach after sacking Liam Rosenior. Chelsea parted ways with Rosenior after a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats without scoring.
