There are two matches more to end the Barclays Premier League season, meaning Samuel Eto’o and John Mikel Obi may be earning their last Chelsea paychecks.
Jose Mourinho has spoken, especially of the Cameroonian star, in the past few months about this moment.
John Mikel Obi
He is rumoured by club as a result of a lack of first-team opportunities, with Italian side Inter Milan in line to bid more than £12m for the 26-year-old.
The Nigerian midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and could make the move to Serie A for a regular starting spot.
Obi has also been linked with a move to Galatasaray.
Samuel Eto’o
In January, Jose Mourinho had said that the decorated African star may remain at the club next season, despite reports he could return to Spain when his contract expires in June.
“We have a very trustful relationship with him. He’s the kind of guy that, with his career, he feels very free and very comfortable making decisions just for himself. He feels good, feels happy.
“He wants to play for titles. He decided to come here to the Premier League to Chelsea, so Samuel is enjoying his career until the end.
“We’ll see what he wants to do at the end of the season. Maybe he wants to go to Mallorca, as he promised his son. Maybe he wants to stay with us, or go and finish his career at Inter (Milan).
“He doesn’t need titles, he doesn’t need money.”
Now that the 32-year-old former Mallorca and Barcelona striker has been – together with the Blues – been kicked out of the Champions League in Wednesday’s semi, what gives?
The Metro had quoted Mourinho at the time also as saying: “He’s comfortable and we’re comfortable. He feels very free and comfortable to make decisions. He feels good, happy. He decided to come here. He’s enjoying his career. At the end of the season we’ll see what he wants to do. Maybe he’ll go to Mallorca, or stay with us or Inter Milan.”
Despite originally being signed on a one-year deal and being considered as a stopgap measure at the club, Mourinho’s words appeared to indicate that Eto’o had every chance of remaining on the books at Chelsea beyond the World Cup.
Mallorca
Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, as reported by Sky Sports, Eto’o explained his son’s desire to return to the Balearic Islands: “My son has pressured me to finish (my career) there. My son is from Mallorca, I’ll always like Barca, but I prefer Mallorca.”
He remains the all-time top scorer of the club and would be welcomed back with open arms to the place where he truly made his name.
Eto’o has the status and profile, as well as the ability, to command major attention in any number of the world’s leagues.
MLS
A move to Major League Soccer has been rumoured, too. Eto’o has the kind of status and profile that would appeal to the owners of MLS sides.
Eto’o was expected to open pre-contract talks with MLS clubs last month before departing for the United States at the end of the campaign but not much has happened since.
Los Angeles Galaxy, DC United and Chivas USA, as well as Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire, had all been named as potential destinations.
Any MLS side to purchase Eto’o would be purchasing a profile to match any that the league has ever known.
__
LISTEN: Chelsea’s official historian speaks to #CitiSports about Eto’o and Mikel Obi’s future (skip to 32 min 48s)
By: Gary Al-Smith/Citifmonline.com/Ghana