Al Ain move good for Mikel – Etim

Former Nigeria midfielder, Etim Esin, says a move away from Stamford Bridge will help Mikel Obi bounce back to reckoning after winning almost everything at Chelsea.

United Arab Emirates side Al Ain are reportedly interested in signing Mikel, but there has been no comment from Chelsea, who refuse to be drawn on speculation over any of their players.
At Chelsea, the Jos-born player won the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the FA Community Shield. He was voted the Blues’ Young Player of the Year twice: 2007 and 2008.

The midfielder has reportedly grown frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities at Chelsea but it is understood the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who started 18 league games in the Londoners’ championship-winning campaign, has been told that he remains part of manager Jose Mourinho’s future plans.

The 28-year-old, who has been capped 64 times by Nigeria, has made 224 appearances since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2006 but Mikel’s first-team action has been limited recently due to the form of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas, who played leading roles in Chelsea securing their first Premier League title in five years last season.

The emergence of youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is highly-rated by Mourinho, has also seen Mikel drop down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Etim has backed the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup silver medallist to move to the UAE, saying he has nothing more to prove at Chelsea after nine years.

“I think a move to the UAE won’t be a bad idea for Mikel, unless a Premier League club can sign him. His scoring ratio may not be that impressive, but his work ethic is good. Playing in Asia will bring forth new challenges after winning everything with Chelsea. The money in the Arab world is good and is not taxed. So it won’t be a bad idea if he moves to the UAE,” Etim told our correspondent on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has said Mikel “will most definitely be playing” for Al Ain next season.

Al Ain striker Gyan is confident Mikel will join him at the club, insisting terms over a move had already been agreed by both club and player.

“I heard it this week that he has agreed terms with Al Ain and will most definitely be playing for us next season,” Gyan told Metro TV.

Though both are fierce rivals at national team level, Gyan is hoping to join forces with Mikel and help Al Ain win more titles in the UAE.

He said, “It’s great news for us because Mikel Obi is a very good player and very experienced. It will be exciting playing with him in the same team, because I believe both of us, with the help of our other colleagues, can do more for the club.”


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