Long-serving Chelsea star may leave

John Obi Mikel is said to be considering his future at Chelsea in order to play regular first-team football. 

The 29-year-old midfielder has just one year left on his contract at the Blues and may well end his 10-year stay at Stamford Bridge. 

Mikel is Chelsea's second longest-serving player and does not wish to watch his team-mates from the sidelines. 

“I have to play because one thing I don’t want to do is to sit on the bench like I did before,” Mikel said in an interview with Goal . “Wherever it is I just want to play. When this season ends we will definitely sort out the contracts.”

Mikel was not given much game time under Mourinho last season, but the arrival of interim manager, Gus Hiddink, signalled a change in fortune for the Nigerian and he was almost ever-present under the Dutchman. 

One factor that may affect Mikel's playing time is the potential signing of Radja Nainggolan. The Belgian midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the West London club and his arrival could spell the end for Mikel. 

Chelsea also have a policy of only offering one-year contract extensions to players over 30 and at 29-years-old, Mikel may seek long-term security.