Chelsea ace Mikel keen on ‘prime time’ return

John Obi Mikel has admitted to struggling for motivation for Chelsea’s Europa League campaign and is desperate to return to the “prime time” of the Champions League next season.

The Blues will bid to complete a Europa League quarter-final aggregate win over Rubin Kazan tomorrow and then continue their FA Cup defence with victory in Sunday’s Wembley semi-final with Manchester City.

But Mikel’s primary focus is on securing a top-four place in the Premier League and a return to the tournament Chelsea won in 2012.