John Obi Mikel is confident he can take over from Claude Makelele in the Chelsea midfield after the departure of the veteran Frenchman.

The 21-year-old has been limited largely to the role of a squad player since signing for the club in June 2006.

But after being handed the holding midfield role during Wednesday’s pre-season friendly victory in China, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first game in charge, the Nigerian is determined to take his chance. Makelele departed for Paris St Germain earlier this week.

“I played that role sometimes last season and hopefully I’ll have a long run in the team now,” he said.

“It’s something I’ve wanted - a run in the team - and I suppose Claude’s departure has opened up that door for me, but I was playing in that role when I was in the team last season too.

“I was in and out of the team last season, but when I was given a chance under Mourinho before, I actually did OK in that holding role.

"I think I did very well under Mourinho and was playing regularly.

“Of course, when a new manager comes in everyone has to start afresh and roll up their sleeves. In Avram Grant’s time I was in and out of the side, and that was a bit frustrating, but it’s what happens in football.

“This time, under the new boss, I will try to make it my position in the team each week.”

Last season Mikel continued to mature in the Chelsea midfield and actually made more appearances than Makelele - possibly a factor in the decision to release the 35-year-old Frenchman for a swansong in Paris.

With a spot now lying vacant in the Chelsea midfield, it is up to Mikel to impress Scolari and win a starting berth for the Barclays Premier League opener against Portsmouth on August 17.

“I’m loving playing under the new manager, even if it’s largely been in training so far, but we’ll see what happens when the season proper starts. We’ll see how it goes,” Mikel said.

“I think he’s a good man. From what I’ve seen, he’s got a good character and speaks to his players regularly, asking how we feel and, if we have a problem, how he can help us in any way. He’s impressive.

“Overall I think he’s a good manager, bringing a lot of good things into the team. Obviously, he’s already shown that he wants us to play a lot of different systems and formations. We’ve been used to 4-3-3 in recent seasons and hopefully, at times, we’ll still play that way.

“But the manager is versatile and has shown he wants us to be able to adapt as well. We’re all looking forward to playing under him.”

Mikel will get another chance to impress Scolari in tomorrow’s friendly against Chinese Super League side Chengdu Blades in Macau.