Source: Telegraph
Chelsea tell John Obi Mikel to wait on new contract
Mikel's agent John Shittu has held an initial meeting – at his request – with Chelsea because Mikel only has one more season after this on his contract. He is eager to agree a new five-year deal, but Chelsea are unconcerned by claims that Inter Milan are interested in the player.
Chelsea are adamant that they have not yet offered Mikel a new contract but insist there is nothing to be read into their desire to wait until the summer.
Didier Drogba and Joe Cole – who both wanted to agree new contracts last year – have also been told to wait. Drogba's future may depend on whether Chelsea receive any offers for the striker.
The club are also interested in Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez and will be monitoring developments over Samuel Eto'o's future, although Manchester City have registered the strongest interest in the Barcelona striker, despite their denials.
It's understood that Mikel's eagerness to sort out his future has been partly fuelled by the return to fitness of Michael Essien, which has put his place in the Chelsea team under threat, although both played in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final away leg in Barcelona.
Mikel joined Chelsea from the Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in 2006 for £16 million on a four-year deal. He has made 42 starts this season, but has yet to convince that he can successfully play the holding role vacated by Claude Makelele.
