Carlo Ancelotti has challenged John Mikel Obi on his lack of goals, promising to run around the pitch when the Nigerian scores.

Since joining Chelsea five years ago, Mikel has only scored twice, in FA Cup games against Macclesfield Town and Nottingham Forest back in 2007. Now, the rangy midfielder says he is hoping to change that, and came close against West Ham last week.

“I thought the one last week against West Ham was going to go in, it nearly did,” said Mikel. “I have had words with the manager and he said when I score my first goal he is going to get up out of his seat and run round the pitch!”

The Nigerian has seen his game remodelled from the classic attacking midfielder to a holding player, and he explains how former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho changed his game.

“When I came, [Claude] Makelele was here and I really looked up to him. Mourinho said he wanted me to play in his position and I said ‘I don't play in this position’. He said ‘Okay, but you're going to start’.

“He told me that I would be a replacement for Makelele one day and I learned a lot off Maka; a lot of the way I play today is based on what I learned from him, but I try to add a bit more to my game. I try to get forward a little bit, but sometimes when I do I get into trouble.