Chelsea Midfielder: "I want to stay and the manager wants me to stay!"

One player who divides opinion amongst Chelsea fans is John Obi Mikel. After rumours surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge, Mikel has spoken out and revealed he has no intention of leaving this summer.

Think of the modern game and think of key roles in the make up of any successful side. Having done that, you will understand that the role of the holding midfielder in that "Makelele Role" has become so important now that finding decent players for that position has become increasingly harder.

Chelsea are lucky in the fact that we have three on our books at the moment. Nemanja Matic, Oriol Romeu and John Obi Mikel.

So to last season and it's clear that Mikel featured rarely compared to the previous seasons at the club. He featured just 18 times in the Premier League having lost his place to the Fabregas/Matic combination, that's compared to an average of 26 appearances in the previous eight seasons.

In light of last season we had read reports that Mikel was tipped to leave Stamford Bridge this summer as he looks for regular first team football. You would imagine there would be plenty of interest but, as stated, Mikel has other ideas and revealed a conversation he has had with Jose Mourinho.

He said:

"I want to stay and the manager wants me to stay. I've got two years here and I'm happy.

I like to be somewhere where I have developed friends and family. Every day I come to work, it is like coming in to see my family.

I know all the players and all the staff so it's going to be a hard place to leave when my contract runs out but let's see what happens. I want to see out my two years."

Being honest, I thought he would leave the club and Oriol Romeu would be given a go this year. Nothing against Mikel as I have always said that the defensive side of his game is spot on, it's what he does with the ball at his feet that causes so much backlash from the fans.

The game has evolved so much that you need to be an all-round player. Look at Matic and compare him to Mikel and you will see what I mean.

That's not to say that there is no role at the club for Mikel! Those top of the table clashes, those tight games and Champions League games where you know it will be tight, Mikel will always be called upon to sit and hold in front of our back four.

I believe it's for those reasons alone that the manager wants him to stay and by all accounts Mikel has no intention of leaving!

What do you think of Mikel? Is he someone that can play an important role here?