Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has said that it is "normal" for the club to not have opened contract talks with midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Mikel's existing deal expires at the end of the season and with the Nigerian yet to feature under Conte, there have been reports linking the player with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
However, Conte has insisted that the club's current focus is on their performances on the pitch, rather than opening negotiations with any of their players.
The 47-year-old told reporters: "Now? Have I spoken to him now? No. No. No but, I repeat, now it's important to be focused on the championship in this period.
"We are in November. It's important to be focused on the pitch. Then, we can focus other situations in time. It's normal in every squad, there are players who are towards the end of their contract, and they and the club together take a decision on their futures."
Mikel has made 368 appearances during a decade-long spell in West London.
Darren Plant
