Does anyone else think we should give Mancienne a shot at defensive midfield?

Mikel's not only scandalously out of position, but he's been off form for a while now, and I thought that giving someone young (well... a few months younger than Mikel), hungry, intelligent and pacy a chance there might be a good idea. He's already proven himself to be versatile by playing all across the back four, so why not try him at defensive mid?

What are your thoughts?

Does anyone else think we should give Mancienne a shot at defensive midfield?

Mikel's not only scandalously out of position, but he's been off form for a while now, and I thought that giving someone young (well... a few months younger than Mikel), hungry, intelligent and pacy a chance there might be a good idea. He's already proven himself to be versatile by playing all across the back four, so why not try him at defensive mid?

What are your thoughts?

I had thought about that Plookoon and thats partly why I was surprised he secured the RB spot today..I was thinking Hiddink might try him for Mikel later on as he looks the type of player that could do a Job there and maybe come forward more than Mikel.

again though we don't see them in training and it might have been thought of but not right for him..its hard to tell.

I don't see why we should go down the route of trying him as a defensive midfielder before we allow him to settle in and prove himself as good enough for the first team in the position he us most comfortable in. No need to put extra pressure on him.

I don't see why we should go down the route of trying him as a defensive midfielder before we allow him to settle in and prove himself as good enough for the first team in the position he us most comfortable in. No need to put extra pressure on him.

No you're right mate..I was thinking of it more to get him in the game as I didn't see much way past what we have back there and I think it would be easier to get in ahead of Mikel off the bench for a change of tactic than Carvalho, Alex Ivan or Terry which would not change anything,..there is already too many midfielders here though and it would be causing a problem more that easing one.

Greetings from Gran Canaria!

No! We´ll soon have Essien back (2 weeks apparently)

Essien is playing for the reserves this week - whether he will be back on first team duty within a fortnight is iffy. However when he us back I wonder if we will see Ballack drop out and Essien played in his role rather than in the holding role.

All I'm saying is... worth a shot?

Essien is playing for the reserves this week - whether he will be back on first team duty within a fortnight is iffy. However when he us back I wonder if we will see Ballack drop out and Essien played in his role rather than in the holding role.

thats where he should play imo, i think other than againts Juventus, Mikel is playing the best football of his chelsea career so far. Essien to come back and play in the attacking role like he does for Ghana, where i think he is most effective, anything to get Ballack out of the team, hes dog sh*te!!

Does anyone else think we should give Mancienne a shot at defensive midfield?

Mikel's not only scandalously out of position, but he's been off form for a while now, and I thought that giving someone young (well... a few months younger than Mikel), hungry, intelligent and pacy a chance there might be a good idea. He's already proven himself to be versatile by playing all across the back four, so why not try him at defensive mid?

What are your thoughts?

Pointless idea. If we need a DM then Mikel can play there. Why anyone would want Mancienne to do that job, I can't imagine.

Pointless idea. If we need a DM then Mikel can play there. Why anyone would want Mancienne to do that job, I can't imagine.

My point is that Mikel has been sh*te for a while and it gives Mancienne some playing time in a position in which he may well excel.

My point is that Mikel has been sh*te for a while and it gives Mancienne some playing time in a position in which he may well excel.

Mikel has on the whole played very well for us. He certainly hasn't been sh*te. There have been some matches where he has struggled, but I think it is highly unlikely that a young, inexperienced centre half would have been any better.

Mikel has on the whole played very well for us. He certainly hasn't been sh*te. There have been some matches where he has struggled, but I think it is highly unlikely that a young, inexperienced centre half would have been any better.

This is something we may well disagree on, but I don't think he's played well for a couple of months.

We need to keep faith in Mikel, thats his role now, Mancienne wouldnt be suited the role imo.

Like Loz said, once Essien is back, hopefully, Guus will 'rest' Ballack, then we'll have Essien playing both attack and defensive midfield roles all-in-one, probably the only player weve got who can do the job, he has the speed on the break, the speed to get back and defend, on top of that he's got a terrific eye for goal.

This is something we may well disagree on, but I don't think he's played well for a couple of months.

Even if we disagree about Mikel, that doesn't answer why you think Mancienne would be any better.

Even if we disagree about Mikel, that doesn't answer why you think Mancienne would be any better.

I'm not saying he necessarily would be. I'm just saying he might be worth a shot, as he's smart, cool and quick.

Edited March 3, 200917 yr by PloKoon13

Mikel has been one of this seasons success stories, i think he has matured so much this season and been one of our best players. At his age there is more than enough room for improvement too.

In a few years time he will be running games much like Veira did for Arsenal.

Hav'nt seen enough of Manciene to coment on whether he could do that role in midfield but agree that at this stage of his career its important to introduce him into first team premeirship football correctly, which means in his prefered position of defence.

Right back is not a bad place for him to start getting a few games under his belt as he still looks a little light weight for centre half, but he will bulk up naturally with age.

When Essien returns he walks straight back into the team, not for Mikel though its bye,bye Ballack for me.

This is something we may well disagree on, but I don't think he's played well for a couple of months.

I would say that Mikel has been on the whole one of the success stories of the season. He is not Maka but he has been very solid, our defending has been excellent, only from set plays has it been poor and I think that has been down to the defenders.