At
the end of another eventful season, Nigeria midfielder Mikel Obi
believes it is “business as usual” at Chelsea, as the Blues bid to end
the campaign with silverware before appointing a new manager this
summer.
There are numerous parallels to last
season, when Chelsea won the FA Cup and Champions League titles under
interim boss Roberto Di Matteo, but finished sixth in the table.
This term the Blues – under another interim manager, in Rafael Benitez – have been in a similar position.
They have now all-but secured their
Champions League spot for next season by beating Aston Villa 2-1 on
Saturday. Their 68th game of the campaign is Wednesday’s Europa League
final against Benfica.
Mikel is uncertain what the summer will
bring, but a second coming of the Special One has been mooted, with Real
Madrid boss Jose Mourinho strongly expected to return to Stamford
Bridge.
“I’ve been here a long time now and I’ve
seen a lot of managers come and go – it’s business as usual,” said
Mikel, who joined Chelsea under Mourinho, in 2006.
“Carry on working, carry on playing for the club, and we’ll see who is the next manager.”
The players, Mikel says, must focus on
performing and winning, irrespective of speculation over managers or a
congested calendar.
“(The season has) been very physical for us, mentally as well,” said Mikel, who has recovered from a hip problem.
“This is what we do. We’re football players, we have to get on with it.
PUNCH
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