Whilst I don't rate him as highly as some do on here I am quite glad he isn't going to the African Cup of Nations after Nigeria failed to qualify. Its always good to have options.

Well that's a bad start to my Sunday

Happy with this, can be a rock for us in midfield and is definatly progressing under boas.

Happy with this, can be a rock for us in midfield and is definatly progressing under boas.

How is he progressing under AVB? he is seeing less gametime and the start of last season was playing better than he ever has before. Good news for us, if injuries or anything hit during that period it is always good to have as big a squad as possible

Happy with this, can be a rock for us in midfield and is definatly progressing under boas

Out of interest what evidence do you have of this? I'm not being facetious honestly, just wondering (yet again with this player) if I'm missing something other people seem so sure of.

For me, he's still the same, and it's now the 6th season of this nonsense.

Whilst I agree with the original sentiment - it's always good to have as many options as possible, I think AVB is no mug and can clearly see what limitations Mikel has, and bearing in mind how important the DM position is to his ethos, I reckon Romeu will be considered a more important player by the time the ACN comes around.

Edited October 9, 201114 yr by bjd

With Essien out, Mikel's influence could be crucial.

Very pleased, we need the numbers, God knows how many injuries we'll have by then.

Mikel is progressing in the way he is being used by AVB as a midfielder who is allowed now to get forward much more often and he looks to me to have been freed up somewhat. I cant see how anyone can think him being available if needed is a bad thing, especially as we have been hit by the ACN over the years and at times have been desperate for numbers.

Good news. Great player and our best defensive midfielder.

Good news. Great player and our best defensive midfielder.

Not hard when we only have 1 really. Unless you count Romeu, who looked better in his 1 performance there than Mikel has for a long time.

Under AVB, Mikel's passing has improved. Rather than merely pushing the ball sideways all day, he's looking for and completing a more dangerous forward pass which starts the play. Defensively, I reckon he's about the same.

One of the good things about the changing Chelsea roster is that the team is a lot less vulnerable to the African Cup of Nations. Drogba isn't first choice much anymore, Essien is probably on his last legs (I don't mean that as a disrespectful joke) and Mikel is not a guaranteed starter.

Out of interest what evidence do you have of this? I'm not being facetious honestly, just wondering (yet again with this player) if I'm missing something other people seem so sure of.

For me, he's still the same, and it's now the 6th season of this nonsense.

Whilst I agree with the original sentiment - it's always good to have as many options as possible, I think AVB is no mug and can clearly see what limitations Mikel has, and bearing in mind how important the DM position is to his ethos, I reckon Romeu will be considered a more important player by the time the ACN comes around.

Well he is being let free from his holding role when playing, allowing him to expand his passing game. Yes his minutes have been limited but so has alot of players in our team. He is going for longer, more progressive passes rather than the 3 yard nonsence he is used to doing. For me, this is progress.

Well that's a bad start to my Sunday

Hope you were able to brighten up your Sunday later by reading the papers and seeing the rumours that Kalou could well be off in the January window. Apparently Liverpool and Arsenal are going to draw straws............

"Draw straws" :biggrin: I shouldn't laugh but couldn't help it !

Alan