--- title: "Mikel’s lack of game time frustrates Nigeria coach" canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2016/11/13/mikels-lack-game-time-frustrates-nigeria-coach/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Sam Tabuteau" section: "Chelsea News" published: "2016-11-13T15:14:46Z" modified: "2016-11-13T15:14:46Z" --- # Mikel’s lack of game time frustrates Nigeria coach Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr is reportedly very frustrated at the lack of game time, his captain Mikel John Obi is receiving under new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. According to the [Evening Standard.](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/nigeria-coach-frustrated-by-mikel-john-obis-lack-of-game-time-under-antonio-conte-at-chelsea-a3393201.html) Mikel is yet to play a single minute during Conte’s reign at Stamford Bridge, partly due to the imperious form of N’Golo Kante and the revitalised Nemanja Matic. Mikel has always been seen as a bit part player during his 10 years at the club, but his attitude has never wavered and he has often been relied upon to do the dirty work in the midfield when former players such as Frank Lampard cannot offer such defensive cover. It has also been reported by the [Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-transfer-news-mikel-john-obi-will-not-be-offered-new-stamford-bridge-deal-and-could-leave-in-a3386961.html) that Mikel will not receive a contract extension this season, and the 29-year-old is, therefore, likely to move on next summer. Rohr has claimed that Mikel has paid the price for leaving Chelsea’s pre-season camp early, in favour of taking part in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Nigeria won a Bronze medal. He said: > There is a reason why Mikel is not playing for Chelsea right now and that reason is because he played for Nigeria at the Olympics. He was punished for that. > > I cannot punish a player who loves his country and shows that he loves the Green jersey. I am not happy with what is happening to Mikel at his club because he is my captain. > > I spoke about this with Mikel and the club’s technical director (Michael Emenalo). Mikel is training very well and he plays games in training with the big players at Chelsea. Despite Conte suggesting that he has been unable to play Mikel due to injury problems, the Nigerian has started their last three World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania, Zambia and most recently Algeria, where both he and fellow Chelsea team-mate Victor Moses [scored](https://www.facebook.com/ReadChelsea/videos/vb.959086977513300/1194826053939390/?type=2&theater¬if_t=like¬if_id=1479013693882736) in a 3-1 win – with Moses scoring a double.