Mikel welcomes move for Latics star

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has given his approval to the club's attempts to sign his Nigerian team-mate Victor Moses from Wigan.

Mikel is convinced the 21-year-old could be a star at Stamford Bridge having worked alongside the highly-rated Latics winger on the international stage. The Blues have so far been reluctantly to meet the £10m asking price slapped on Moses' head by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan but reports are now emerging suggesting a deal is close. Chelsea would like to seal the signing as quickly as possible, and with the player in the final year of his contract at the DW Stadium, Whelan is ready to give the former Crystal Palace youngster the green light to join the Champions League winners. Mikel, who is excited about the prospect of linking him with Moses, told MTNFootball.com: "Victor Moses is a good player, we all saw what he did last season. "I will gladly welcome him and make him feel at home if he comes here. It would be a good move for him and I am sure he will make it big here." Meanwhile, Mikel is eyeing a positive start to the season beginning with Sunday's Community Shield clash against Premier League holders Manchester City at Villa Park. The Nigerian believes Chelsea have a real chance of doing well this term, after bolstering the squad with a host of summer signings, namely Eden and Thorgan Hazard, Brazil star Oscar and German midfielder Marko Marin. He added: "Whenever I am on the pitch, what comes to my mind is victory and that's my desire. To win the Community Shield will be good for us, it will put us in good mood ahead of the new season. "We will get it right and beat City. I have won it before and I want to win it again."