The last time John Obi Mikel made an appearance for Chelsea was on the fifth of May 2016, in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, where he played at centre-back.
Since then, the player hasn’t even featured on the bench for the London club, meaning the only games he’s played have been for his country.
The 29-year-old led his nation to Olympic Bronze in the summer, called up as one of the three over-23s allowed in the squad, and has since played two internationals for Nigeria’s first-team.
Despite not playing for his club, the defensive midfielder has still been nominated on the 30-man shortlist for the African Player of the Year award by the Confederation of African Football.
Just to put this in context, Yaya Touré, who actually has made an appearance for his club this season, has been left out.
Going up against Mikel is London rival Victor Wanyama, who joined Tottenham over the summer for just over £12m.
The 25-year-old has played in all but two of Tottenham’s games this season, even scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace back in August.
If they were to somehow beat the likes of Aubameyang, Mahrez or Sadio Mané, which one of the two would be more deserving? Wanyama’s club record at Tottenham and Southampton would surely say it’s him, nut Mikel’s Olympic run may well have got him in.
