Obi, Moses make false start in Chelsea English Premier League opener

Jose Mourinho did not field the Super Eagles’ duo as the Blues played a disappointing draw at home against the Swans on Saturday Nigeria internationals John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses began the new English Premier League campaign as unused substitutes in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Swansea City on Saturday evening. The game played at the Stamford Bridge saw the duo watch Garry Monk’s men deny Jose Mourinho’s side the chance of starting the new season on a winning note. Going by his commendable performance for the English champions in the pre-season, many had thought the former Wigan forward who was loaned to Stoke City last season would be handed a starter’s shirt in the Blues’ attack versus Swansea – but that was not to be as he fell behind Willian, Hazard and Cuardado in the pecking order. On Mikel’s part, his dissatisfaction grows from the fact that Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas have nailed down the two starting berths in the centre of Jose Mourinho’s team, while tertiary competition is provided by the likes of Ramires, Kurt Zouma and the emerging Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Few weeks ago, the 28-year-old midfielder who was linked with the likes of Al Ain and Fenerbahce during the transfer window moved to end speculation over his Chelsea future by insisting he is happy at Stamford Bridge. "I have two years left on my contract here and want to see them out. I am happy here and we will see what happens. I do want to stay; the manager wants me to stay so I don't have any issues.” Chelsea travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in their next league game, and should they not get to feature this time, it would be hard to see them making any useful impact for the Stamford Bridge lords for a larger part of the season.