Mourinho wants to keep Mikel

Despite the several speculations around Mikel Obi as the summer
transfer market continues to yield results, Chelsea have hinted they
are keeping him for now. Transfer rumours hit an all time high for the
Nigeria international last month after he and his compatriot Victor
Moses were initially left out of the pre-season tour of Europe
embarked upon by the Stamford Bridge team. Last week he was listed
among the players that will likely be sold.

At the peak of his sale stories last season, it was suggested that the
midfielder would be available for a cut-price fee of £5m to any of the
Italian clubs, but particularly Inter Milan.

However, the club has moved quickly to dispel any such rumours with it
being confirmed, by a source close to the player that the Nigerian is
staying with the source remarking,

"Although Mikel is not first choice, he's the first person Jose turns
to when he wants a particular job done. The manager knows he can just
slot him in there and he`ll do a great job. Jose (Mourinho) has told
Mikel he is still part of his plans for next season," a British news
portal,Vitalfootballreported.

Mikel will be eligible to become a British citizen by October and it
has been explained that the opportunity for the Nigerian was also put
into the equation.

Mikel featured in the Chelsea loss on Sunday to Werder Bremen in Germany.

Chelsea lost their first game of pre-season as a near full-strength
line-up was well beaten 3-0 by Werder Bremen in Germany, according to
Sky Sports.

Belgian star Thibault Courtois made his first appearance in a Chelsea
shirt as he started in goal, but he could do little as Bremen took a
two-goal lead into the break.

Dutch star Eljero Elia opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 18
minutes after Blues captain John Terry was penalised for handling the
ball.

Ludovic Obraniak's header then doubled the hosts' advantage just
before the break as he punished some static Chelsea defending.

Half-time saw Chelsea legend Didier Drogba return to the fold - as he
replaced Diego Costa - but Chelsea again made little impact after the
break as Werder extended their lead with a second penalty.

Nathan Ake was harshly ruled to have conceded a foul and Felix Kroos -
brother of Toni - slotted home from 12 yards.

Chelsea have two matches remaining of their pre-season, with games
against Ferencvaros and Real Sociedad to come before they open their
Premier League campaign at Burnley.