Source: Team_Talk
Playing was my choice - Mikel
John-Obi Mikel admits he chose to play in Chelsea's first match of the season at Stoke despite being told his father had been kidnapped.[LNB] The Nigeria international has been through personal trauma after Michael Obi failed to return home from work in his homeland over the weekend, and has yet to be found.[LNB]Mikel concedes that he considered not playing after being made aware of the situation on Saturday, but a talk with his family eventually led to his decision to appear at the Britannia Stadium in their goalless draw on Sunday.[LNB]"I was actually in having a massage when the manager (Andre Villas-Boas) sent for me," Mikel said.[LNB]"I went to his office, he said, 'There is a situation, your dad is missing'.[LNB]"I didn't know about it, obviously. My family didn't want to tell me until after the game.[LNB]"I was shocked, (Villas-Boas) asked me what I wanted to do, did I still want to go to the game. I told him I needed a couple of hours to speak to my family and my agent.[LNB]"I told him I would like to play the game because I wouldn't want to let my team down, let the club down and obviously let my family down. I think if I didn't play that game, my mum would be very sad with me.[LNB]"I spoke to my mum before the game and she told me to go out there and be strong.[LNB]"I don't think my team-mates really know about it at the moment," he added.[LNB]"I told (Didier) Drogba about it today and before the game I told Kalou because he is a very good friend.[LNB]"But I didn't want everyone coming to me saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry'. I just wanted to get on with it."
