New Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has admitted he may leave Premier League club Chelsea at the end of the current season if he is not guaranteed a regular starting shirt.

According to Goal.com, former Juventus manager Antonio Conte is expected to sign a three-year-contract with Chelsea and then take over from Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge at the beginning of the 2016/2017 season.

Although, Mikel’s current contract expires in 2017, the 28-year-old Nigeria international insists he is ready to part with the Blues if he not among the first eleven.

“I have one more season with Chelsea but I know when this season ends, we will definitely sit down and try to sort out whatever needs to be sorted out,” Mikel told Goal.

“If it means me leaving, fine.

“If it means me staying, then I have to play because one thing I don’t want to do is to sit on the bench like I did before.”

It would be recalled that the Nigerian player was only used as an alternative by Jose before the Portuguese’ departure in December 2015, and although Mikel has been featured in almost all Chelsea games since Guus Hiddink took over temporarily as the Chelsea boss, the Nigerian is demanding assurances from Chelsea’s new manager.

“It’s not very nice, especially now when you have kids you just want to do what you can to play,” said the midfielder.

The player also once again criticised former coach Jose Mourinho, saying the coach did not believe in his abilities during their latter days together at Chelsea.

Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December after the club found itself in the relegation zone with the Portuguese as Mikel featured in only five Premier League games. However after Mourinho’s departure, interim boss Guus Hiddink has featured the midfielder a lot more.

Mikel has turned out 13 times in the league under Hiddink and credits the Dutchman for showing faith in his abilities.