Chelsea FC midfielder John Obi Mikel reportedly expressed his desire to exit the Stamford Bridge and move to China if current Italy national team head coach Antonio Conte will take over the reins from interim manager Guus Hiddink this summer.

The Daily Express indicated that the 28-year-old midfielder "is considering leaving the club for the Chinese Super League in the summer" as he is said to be unsatisfied about the Blues' coaching plans moving forward.

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After winning the English top flight trophy last season, Chelsea started the current season on a downward spiral with then championship coach Jose Mourinho. The team's campaign did not improve in midseason which led to the Portuguese coach's sacking and the appointment of Hiddink as interim since December of last year.

From then on, the performance of the Pensioners have improved a lot and they are now settled at the 10th spot in the current Premier League table after pulling off a 14-game unbeaten streak under Hiddink, a run that is still ongoing, from being in danger of relegation during Mourinho's final weeks as Chelsea manager.

Mikel's is perhaps sold to the system of Hiddink and so the arrival of Conte is not seen as a favorable move by the player.

Meanwhile, Sports Mole said that there are at least three Chinese Super League teams that are interested in acquiring Mikel's services in the summer, including top China clubs Jiangsu Suning and Shanghai SIPG.

The report also noted that if ever the 6-foot-2 Jos, Nigeria native decides to accept the China offer with Jiangsu, then he would join former Blues teammate Ramires in the Chinese Super League" next season.

Mikel has the second-longest active tenure with the Stamford Bridge residents after team captain John Terry, who is also speculated of a move to CSL's five-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande this summer.

Mikel had been miserable with the Blues this season, having no goals in only 14 appearances in the English domestic league. 

TagsFootball News & Rumors, Football News & Rumors 2016, Chelsea FC, Chelsea news & rumors, Chelsea news & rumors 2016, john obi mikel, Chinese Super League, Jiangsu Suning FC, Shanghai SIPG FC