Diego Costa has got off lightly compared to the treatment John Obi Mikel was subjected to by Antonio Conte, according to ex-Chelsea player Emmanuel Sarki.
The Spain international striker is currently in his native Brazil having been exiled by his manager following a bust-up last January.
Costa is not the only member of Chelsea’s 2014/15 title-winning squad to experience Conte’s ruthless streak, however, with Sarki claiming the long-serving Mikel paid the price for his loyalty to Nigeria.
Sarki, who began his career at Stamford Bridge before moving to the likes of Westerloo and Wisla Krakow, revealed the former Juventus boss froze Mikel out after he decided to represent his country at the Rio Olympics, even refusing him the chance to play for the Under-23s in a bid to build up his fitness.
‘I was told how Conte treated Mikel after his decision to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympics. He was granted permission to go by Conte under one condition, which was you might not get a look in upon your return,’ Sarki told Owngoalnigeria.com.
‘Mikel was told by the same man who granted him permission to represent Nigeria at the Olympics upon his return that his services weren’t needed anymore.
‘Even when the coach of the national team of Nigeria (Gernot Rohr) pleaded for Mikel to be allowed to play Under-23 games to build up his fitness, Conte still didn’t budge. How painful he didn’t give Mikel the chance to say goodbye to fans who have stood by him for ten and half seasons.
‘Costa’s case is mild to be honest, Mikel went through worse but never said or acted wild as he is someone who doesn’t talk much and hardly react negatively to issues.’
Mikel, who made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea between 2006 and 2017, was sold to Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA FC back in January.
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