Jon Obi Mikel has dismissed claims that Chelsea were punishing him for taking part in Nigeria's Olympic campaign in Rio this summer.
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr was reported by Nigerian media as saying: "There is a reason why Mikel is not playing for Chelsea right now and that reason is because he played for Nigeria at the Olympics.I cannot punish a player who loves his country and shows that he loves the green jersey."
But Mikel, who has not been a part of Chelsea boss Antonio Conte's plans this season, released a statement explaining that there had been a misunderstanding.
In the statement - via101 Great Goals- he said: "I'd like to clarify that the recent media claims that I've been punished by Chelsea FC for participating at the Rio 2016 Olympics are completely inaccurate.
"Unfortunately comments made by Gernot Rohr before yesterday's 3-1 win over Algeria were both mistranslated and taken out of context by the Nigerian media, as English isn't Mr Rohr's or much of the Nigerian media's first language.
I would like to make a statement to clarify recent misinformation in the media about my playing at #Rio2016 and Chelsea: pic.twitter.com/hGOOGQAozd
"To be absolutely clear, Mr Conte and Chelsea were always fully supportive of my captaincy of the Nigerian team at Rio. The manager gave me his full blessing to participate at the Olympics, and even encouraged me to bring back the gold medal.
"It goes without saying there is nothing but absoluterespect between myself, the Nigerian national team and Chelsea FC.
"My only focus now is on winning more silverware with Chelsea and getting Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup, two challenges I can't wait to face in the coming months."