Gyan: Mikel will leave Chelsea

Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan has revealed that Jon Obi Mikel will be leaving Premier League champions Chelsea, as per the National.

Mikel, 28, has been tipped to leave Chelsea this summer and Gyan – who starred for Ghana at the World Cup in 2010 – has revealed that the Nigerian midfielder will be departing Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea want Mikel to remain at the club amid interest from abroad

John Obi Mikel had a passing accuracy of 91% last season.

The 28-year-old became surplus to requirements at Chelsea last season as Jose Mourinho favoured a double pivot of Nemanja Matic and Ramires in the centre of his midfield.

Even the attack-minded Cesc Fabregas and youngster Kurt Zouma were favoured at times. In truth, Mikel’s time at Chelsea has been coming to an end ever since Matic arrived from Benfica in January 2014, and Gyan has now confirmed everyone’s suspicions.

“I heard it this week that he has agreed terms with Al Ain and will most definitely be playing for us next season,” Gyan said. “It’s great news for us because Mikel Obi is a very good player and very experienced.”

Mikel made just 18 appearances in the Premier League last season due to injury problems and being mostly third-choice in his preferred spot in midfield, so selling him makes for easy work for Jose Mourinho this summer.

The Nigerian only won 16 tackles and even fewer headed duels – seven – while he also only created two chances and hit just three shots all season.

Chelsea’s passing per 90mins

Mikel isn’t a very attack-minded player but one would expected his defensive work to be more up to scratch and it simply wasn’t making things easy for Mourinho to select the energetic and threatening Ramires ahead of him.

Jon Obi Mikel committed one defensive error in the Premier League last season.