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Mikel Obi may not have had a positive start to this season during his stay at Chelsea, but that does not change or alter his legendary status at the club. In his over 10 years at Stamford Bridge, he was one of the few who put in honest work for us, no matter the situation and manager. He always put the team first before his own self. So you can imagine my displeasure at the manner he was treated by Conte before he left. Even more saddening was the likely reason for that treatment — his participation in the 2016 Olympics, where he represented his home country, Nigeria. It was no doubt disheartening, but I am happy it has all taken a turn for the better in the end.

Mikel’s sale to mega- rich China was not a surprise, because it was to be expected. A player of his age and talent, wasting on the bench? Not a great thing to see. So it was the right thing that should have happened to the man. And of course, apart from the fact that he gets to finally play week in, week out, he gets higher pay too. The cherry on the cake for me is the captaincy he’s been bestowed with at his new club. You’ll agree that it’s not every time that a player goes to a new club and instantly becomes captain. That’s what makes his case special. He has also scored for his new Chinese club. Everything seems to be falling in all the right places for Mikel, and I am happy for it all. When people pay their dues they deserve to reap its fruits eventually; John Obi Mikel is reaping his, and I hope things only get better for the man.