Mikel takes a look back at magical few weeks

Fresh from captaining Nigeria’s football
team to a bronze medal in the Rio
Olympics, a joyous John Mikel Obi has
put the landmark achievement into
words and also provided details on his
return to the Chelsea set-up.
Mikel was one of two overage players selected
by Nigeria coach Samson Siasia - the same
man who led Nigeria to the final of the
Under-20 World Cup in 2005 when Mikel was
instrumental.
Our midfielder used all the considerable
experience he has gained during his 10 years
at Stamford Bridge, and as a seasoned
international and Africa Cup of Nations winner,
to mentor his young teammates, the vast
majority of whom are in the very early days of
their footballing careers.
Positioned in a number 10 role throughout the
tournament - which concluded with Brazil’s
thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Germany -
Mikel scored one goal and created four more.
The dynamic Nigerian ‘Dream Team’
progressed as group winners, beat Denmark in
the quarter-finals and then got the better of
Honduras in the bronze-medal match on
Saturday, having lost to the Germans in the
last four.
‘I was obviously very clear before travelling to
Brazil that my target was the gold medal, but
to get the bronze is still an amazing
achievement,’ Mikel said in his Evening
Standard column.
‘There was a celebration at the hotel
afterwards, we were all jumping around.
Everyone was so excited. But we managed to
get everyone to sit down together and have a
team meal. After everything we have been
through, it was great to have something to
show for it and we all thanked each other.
‘It really is a dream come true for me. I might
take the medal to the Chelsea training ground
to show to the other players - I hope I don't
make them jealous though!’
Mikel, who is keen to participate in the Tokyo
Olympics in 2020 having helped Nigeria secure
a first medal in any sport since 2008, also
stressed how the experience has given him
physical and psychological benefits as he
prepares to rejoin Antonio Conte ’s squad at
Cobham.
‘It's provided me with a nice lift as I return to
Chelsea. I will go back to see the manager
and see what his plans are for me. I want to
get back into training and prove myself. I want
to play and help the team to win games.
‘I know it will be difficult because I have
missed most of pre-season and the coach has
a new way of playing. But it is a positive thing
for me that I have been playing well in Brazil
and I'm in good shape.
‘I will need a few days off first because this
tournament has been so draining. I arrive back
in London on Wednesday morning and the
game against Burnley on Saturday will come
too early to feature in.
‘The plan is to have a little break, which is
why the timing couldn't be better as the
season stops for two weeks for international
fixtures after the Burnley game anyway.
‘It will give me plenty of time to enjoy my
bronze medal and reflect on what has been a
magical few weeks in my football career.’