John Mikel Obi is open to talking to other clubs as he waits to see whether he will be offered a new Chelsea contract.

Though he wants to stay and fight for his place, Mikel admits he may have to move on when his contract runs out next year.

The Nigerian captained his country's Olympic side to a bronze medal in Rio this summer but has not featured under Antonio Conte so far this season following the arrival of N'Golo Kante.

‘’When you have a year left, in January you are allowed to talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contract or have an agreement so, yes, I will talk to other clubs because you never know what is going to happen.

'If it is going to be the Premier League there will be options. If it is China or some other places, we will see. One thing is for sure, I will make the best decision.'

Mikel signed for Chelsea in controversial circumstances from Norwegian side Lyn in 2006, after he allegedly reneged over a contract he had signed with Manchester United.

After John Terry, the midfielder is the second longest-serving member of the Chelsea squad. Mikel has made 372 appearances in his 11 years at the club and says he has become accustomed to life at Stamford Bridge since arriving there as a teenager.

Mikel said: 'I've been here for a long, long time. I've spent 11 years of my life in this football club, it is my home.'

However the 29-year-old remains relaxed but realistic about his future in a Chelsea squad which includes Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in central midfield