Mikel rules out returning to English Premiership with Everton as Allardyce seeks his services

SUPER Eagles skipper Mikel Obi has ruled out returning to the English Premiership during the January transfer window saying that he is not aware of news about him joining Merseyside giants Everton.

For 10 years, Mikel played in the Premiership with Chelsea but last year left England for China, signing for Chinese Super League (CSL) side Tianjin Teda. At the moment, the Chinese league is enjoying its break and  Mikel is on holiday until the new year but there indications that Everton are looking to sign him when the transfer window opens on January 1.

Earlier this month, Everton appointed former Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce as its head coach and the team has seen a resurgence in its form ever since. Known as Big Sam, Allardyce now wants to strengthen his squad with the acquisition of a few new players and Mikel is said to be on his shopping list.

Some reports have claimed that Mikel, 30, would leave Tianjin after an injury-hit first season since moving from Stamford Bridge. However, Mikel has dismissed these rumours, saying he has no intention of leaving the Chinese Super League.

Mikel said: “I don’t know where such a rumour came from but this story is untrue. I want to stay in the Chinese Super League and play for Teda.

"I‘m sure there will be lots of speculation about me as the transfer window nears but this is a false rumour. Playing in the Chinese Super League will help me maintain my status for the World Cup."

In the summer, Mikel will represent Nigeria at the World Cup finals in Russia in what will be the Super Eagles sixth appearance at the tournament. He added that he  is confident that playing club football in China will not have a detrimental effect on his international performances.

Mikel said: “The standard of the CSL is quite high. Before, people might have thought it was slow but now it’s very quick and I have no doubt playing in this league will help me stay in shape.

“Of course, there is still a gap between the CSL and the English Premier League but the CSL is improving. To play more games will be good and I hope I don’t get injured."

He added that he hopes to avoid the injuries that restricted him to just 13 games in his first season with his club. Currently skipper for both club and country, Mikel is keen to avoid the injuries that plagued him in 2010 that made him miss the World Cup in South Africa.

Everton has been a club that has traditionally always had Nigerian players on its books, including the likes of Daniel Amokachi, Joseph Yobo, Victor Anichebe and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. At the moment, there is no Nigerian playing for the club, so Mikel joining would revive the tradition.