Etim Esin backs Mikel Obi to quit Chelsea

Former Nigeria international, Etim Esin, has backed Mikel Obi to find a new challenge outside the Stamford Bridge saying the move will help the Chelsea midfielder revive his creativity on the pitch haven't won almost everything at Chelsea.

The Super Eagles midfielder, who has voiced out that he wants to leave the London club has been approached by a United Arab Emirates side, Al Ain, but Chelsea refuse to comment over the recent development.

The former Lyn Oslo player won the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the FA Community Shield while at the club, and was also voted the Blues’ Young Player of the Year twice: 2007 and 2008.

The 28-year-old midfielder has fallen out of the pecking order for coach Jose Mourinho after the return of Nemanja Matic who is more physical and offensive than Nigeria's Mikel Obi, which has made him lose first-team opportunities at Chelsea.

Etim has backed the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup silver medallist to move to the UAE, saying he has nothing more to prove at Chelsea after nine years.

“I think a move to the UAE won’t be a bad idea for Mikel, unless a Premier League club can sign him. His scoring ratio may not be that impressive, but his work ethic is good. Playing in Asia will bring forth new challenges after winning everything with Chelsea. The money in the Arab world is good and is not taxed. So it won’t be a bad idea if he moves to the UAE,” Etim told our correspondent on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has said Mikel “will most definitely be playing” for Al Ain next season.

Al Ain striker Gyan is confident Mikel will join him at the club, insisting terms over a move had already been agreed by both club and player.

“I heard it this week that he has agreed terms with Al Ain and will most definitely be playing for us next season,” Gyan told Metro TV.

Though both are fierce rivals at national team level, Gyan is hoping to join forces with Mikel and help Al Ain win more titles in the UAE.

He said, “It’s great news for us because Mikel Obi is a very good player and very experienced. It will be exciting playing with him in the same team, because I believe both of us, with the help of our other colleagues, can do more for the club.” Punch