Middlesbrough coach, Tony Pulis admits he is anxious over the chances of his side keeping John Mikel Obi beyond this summer, as he believes the veteran midfielder’s top form is bound to attract transfer interest in the summer, sports247.ng reports.
Pulis, though, enthused that he could be able to convince Mikel to stay put, considering the club’s potentials for the future, and the city’s calm environment, which he says the star’s family is already getting used to.
Although Pulis admitted it would take more than just picking a ticket to the English Premier League that could commit Mikel to extend his stay with Boro, the gaffer noted that the former Lyn Oslo of Norway and Chelsea of England star is already enjoying life at the club.
Since arriving at Middlesbrough in January, Mikel has flourished on the pitch and made a massive impact behind the scenes, but Pulis noted further that the former UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and English Premier League winner is enjoying life at Boro.
Pulis added that Mikel’s love for the club includes the presence of young players he believes he can mentor in the team and the fact that the community aura round the squad base is also alurring for him.
Mikel was a free agent after shredding his contract with Tianjin Teda of China, but was courted by Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in England, as well as VfL Wolfsburg of Germany and AS Roma of Italy.
However, in trying to make him feel at home in the neighbourhood, Pulis disclosed how he and the club’s goalkeepers’ trainer, Jonathan Gould put in extra effort to help the star settle down in a nice apartment.
Pulis stated at length: “I think the secret to keeping John at the end of the season is to convince him this is a club going in the right direction.
“I don’t think the key to keeping John is going up. I think the key is to show him the potential the club has.
“John has come in and done tremendously well for us and he is enjoying his football.
“He’s been impressed with the number of young players involved in the first team and he is enjoying working with them.
“I think he is enjoying the club too, the set-up, the feel around the squad and what we are trying to do here.
“It was a full day, non-stop, making sure he didn’t go anywhere else or talk to anyone or do anything except stay with me and Gouldy.
“Me and John went down there, went to one of his houses and sat there with him, convinced him this was the ideal place.
“We told him all the positive about the club, about our plans and how he could be part of something.
“It is a lovely place for him to get his wife out of London, that helped. To come up here and see the area helped.
“I think they have moved up to Durham now and are all settled. She can get out now with the children and see something different.
“We needed someone of his ilk, someone of his stature about him. We sold that to him. We told him he would be really important.”
