Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi has been assured of his Chelsea future by manager Andres Billas-Boas, after the pair held ‘clear the air talks’ last week.


Mikel, 24, has seen his Chelsea appearances restricted in the wake of a mistake that gifted Liverpool a goal, and the emergence of Spanish youngster Oriol Romeu.

Mikel has two and a half years left on his current Chelsea contract. The player’s representative, John Shittu said Mikel and the coach met before the match with Newcastle.

"Mikel and Villas-Boas had a clear the air meeting before the Newcastle game, and he was given some assurances about his future," Shittu said.

Shittu explained that Mikel was left out of the squad for that game due to illness.

"He had just returned from an illness and couldn’t play against Newcastle, but it’s not easy when you’re left out of games you want to play. He knows he has to work hard to get back into the team."

Mikel was assured on his future by Chelsea coach.