JOHN OBI MIKEL has insisted Chelsea’s current turmoil is a mere “distraction” and believes the club will remain a superpower in European football. The Nigerian midfielder, who left Stamford Bridge for Chinese outfit Tianjin Teda last year after a decade at Stamford Bridge, is not concerned about the current situation.

Owner Roman Abramovich, who has reportedly withdrawn his application for a work visa in the UK, halted plans for a £1 billion revamp of Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Mikel, 31, told SunSport: “It doesn’t concern me at all. The club is in really good hands, run by Marina [Granovskaia] now. She loves the club.

“I think she makes decisions purely on the betterment of the club, which is how a club should be run. She does exactly what Roman wants her to do.

“Roman loves the club. He has devoted his time, money into this football club. He has made Chelsea what it is today.

Mikel spent over a decade at Chelsea after joining from Lyn in 2006

“I don’t care what anyone says, Roman made Chelsea what Chelsea is today and I think, because of the amount of wealth he has brought into this country, everybody owes him a little bit of appreciation.”

Chelsea failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League and manager Antonio Conte is expected to leave this summer without a clear replacement.

Mikel, who won the Premier League twice, three FA Cups, the Europa League and Champions League, suggests the Italian coach was part of the reason he left the club. Thesun.co.uk