Chelsea midfielder and Super Eagles’ captain,
John Obi Mikel says he has asked his Chelsea
teammate Ola Aina, to consider departing
England Under-20 teams to represent the
country of his parents’ birth.
Mikel made the call after the teenager
impressed in pre-season and made his Chelsea
debut against Bristol Rovers.
The 19-year-old defender has sat on the bench
many times this season after signing a new deal
in the summer, and currently plays his
international football in the England youth ranks.
Aina was born in London to Nigerian parents and
Mikel said he rates his team-mate so highly that
he would love to play alongside him in the
Nigerian national team.
“I keep asking him: ‘When are you going to
come and play for Nigeria?’ and he jokes:
‘Whenever you come and invite me I will play!”
Mikel told Goal, adding that “I think it is
something that we would have to discuss.