I might get some stick for this but I'm surprised there is not better teams after him.

I might get some stick for this but I'm surprised there is not better teams after him.

 

I'm Not.

Can Jose perhaps organize for Jose Mendes to become Mikel's new agent? Then we might actually be able to sell him.

I might get some stick for this but I'm surprised there is not better teams after him.

i agree. when inter were sniffing round i thought that was the level of club that he would really benefit. personally, id be sad to see him go. if he does go, he is talented enough to go somewhere half decent.

Don't let the door hit you on your way out.

Hate watching him play, always seems off the pace.  Makes me nervous when he's in possession, ball always seems to bumble around and off his feet, I can't tell what his attributes are meant to be.  

This thread will now probably turn into a. Slagging of, which will be a shame for a player who has always given his best, been a great pro causing no problems, played a part in many trophy wins etc.

I still remember his two nutmeg this season ! Go get paid mikel

This thread will now probably turn into a. Slagging of, which will be a shame for a player who has always given his best, been a great pro causing no problems, played a part in many trophy wins etc.

 

To be honest i don't think he has given his best, i think he could have done a lot more. There has been plenty of times where Mikel has looked lazy and doesn't bother tracking back and marking his man. Mourinho is said to love players that can do these things but Mikel has never been good at it. I'm amazed he has lasted this long to be honest, especially when the likes of Schurrle has been sold a lot sooner for not being good at these things. He's had a handful of good games for us but in 9 seasons a handful really isn't good enough.

The only way I might be okay with this is if we get Messi in return, otherwise Barcelona can bugger off.. Or was it Al Ain? Either way, Messi or no deal.

To be honest i don't think he has given his best, i think he could have done a lot more. There has been plenty of times where Mikel has looked lazy and doesn't bother tracking back and marking his man. Mourinho is said to love players that can do these things but Mikel has never been good at it. I'm amazed he has lasted this long to be honest, especially when the likes of Schurrle has been sold a lot sooner for not being good at these things. He's had a handful of good games for us but in 9 seasons a handful really isn't good enough.

 

Amen. A passenger.

 

I have no hated for him, I just don't think he's done his best for us. 

I'm sure he will make a move that is as ambitious as he was on the pitch for us. He surely can't be short of suitors because he's been a part of so many trophy winning teams.

The man has grown on me over the years, whenever he scored I couldn't help but feel really happy for him, you could tell he was as shocked as the fans and the way the players reacted was amusing. Fair play to him for his Champions League Final performance, also he was here for quite a long time, so regardless of what people think of him, I'll always like the guy.

Via Amy Lewis on Twitter (Sky Sports) - @SkySportsAmy: Sources: John Obi Mikel wants to leave Chelsea because he's not getting regular football but has been told they don't want to sell him

Via Amy Lewis on Twitter (Sky Sports) - @SkySportsAmy: Sources: John Obi Mikel wants to leave Chelsea because he's not getting regular football but has been told they don't want to sell him

 

Could be good more Mikel to move, he's obviously behind Matic and Fabregas in central midfield and who knows if Jose is going to continue to experiment with Zouma in that holding role when closing out games as well? 

 

We have decent cover even if he did leave and it could possibly lead to RLC getting the chance to impress in the first half of the season. 

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/6/23/8827995/mikel-al-ain-more-rumors

 

Cant say I wont be disappointed if Mikel leaves. Has been such a warrior for so many seasons, quietly done his job without any antics.

 

Although it is hard to deny that him being in the squad now is neither good for him and nor for the countless youth players who can take his place and do a (better) job.

Via Amy Lewis on Twitter (Sky Sports) - @SkySportsAmy: Sources: John Obi Mikel wants to leave Chelsea because he's not getting regular football but has been told they don't want to sell him

 

So we'll happily let Cech go to Arsenal for peanuts but we won't let Mikel leave.

 

I blame Kenyon.

I blame Torres

Could be good more Mikel to move, he's obviously behind Matic and Fabregas in central midfield and who knows if Jose is going to continue to experiment with Zouma in that holding role when closing out games as well? 

 

We have decent cover even if he did leave and it could possibly lead to RLC getting the chance to impress in the first half of the season. 

 

I don't see that. As it stands, if we sell Mikel, and Matic is injured for a lengthy period, to have Fabregas, Ramires, RLC and Zouma as midfield options is quite ridiculous for a team challenging on all fronts.

 

As for Mikel, I wouldn't be sad to see him go. But with all respect, what a wasted talent. To see a technically-gifted footballer, who is also built like an ox, ultimately become nothing more than squad filler is quite disappointing. And it's a lesson for guys like RLC. People rave about the talents of RLC, well Mikel was an even greater talent at the same age and with enough games played over his career to allow him to maximise his ability. Statistically speaking, it's a lottery as to whether these talents turn out to be of the Pogba or Mikel variety, perhaps even worse. It's no wonder Jose has traditionally shied away from developing youth prospects.

I don't see that. As it stands, if we sell Mikel, and Matic is injured for a lengthy period, to have Fabregas, Ramires, RLC and Zouma as midfield options is quite ridiculous for a team challenging on all fronts.

 

 

And if the whole team got hit with a bad case of swine flu?! What then?! We'd really be in trouble wouldn't we?!

 

I'm sorry by hypothesizing that a player could be out for a lengthy period is a strange argument to make. 

 

If Mikel left there is still 4 players for two positions, 5 if you included Nathan Ake who has always acquitted himself well when he's been in the first team. 

 

Should JOM leave then I would fully expect someone else to come in but the Jose's been banging the drum about RLC being in the first team squad next season and so if that's the case he has to show some confidence in him at some point rather than burying him so far down the pecking order that there is no point in him being in the squad. 

I can't say I'd lose any sleep over Mikel leaving, but I think we would need a replacement, we're already pretty light in CM.

And if the whole team got hit with a bad case of swine flu?! What then?! We'd really be in trouble wouldn't we?!

I'm sorry by hypothesizing that a player could be out for a lengthy period is a strange argument to make.

If Mikel left there is still 4 players for two positions, 5 if you included Nathan Ake who has always acquitted himself well when he's been in the first team.

Should JOM leave then I would fully expect someone else to come in but the Jose's been banging the drum about RLC being in the first team squad next season and so if that's the case he has to show some confidence in him at some point rather than burying him so far down the pecking order that there is no point in him being in the squad.

Wait, you think it's absurd to hypothesise about a legitimate concern (losing one of the two primary mids) and your contingency plan involves Ramires, Zouma, RLC and Ake? Ridiculous.

There's a big difference between having the confidence to play young talent and being ignorant to impact on the team's chances of success. Offering RLC a role too great is asking for trouble. Firstly, though talented, there's a greater probability of him being no better than Mikel ever was. If that statistical eventuality plays out in the next 4/5 years, every fan will be looking back at the decision not to sign a proven midfielder this season.

Only Cahill and Mikel left of the munich starters once Cech goes

Wait, you think it's absurd to hypothesise about a legitimate concern (losing one of the two primary mids) and your contingency plan involves Ramires, Zouma, RLC and Ake? Ridiculous.

There's a big difference between having the confidence to play young talent and being ignorant to impact on the team's chances of success. Offering RLC a role too great is asking for trouble. Firstly, though talented, there's a greater probability of him being no better than Mikel ever was. If that statistical eventuality plays out in the next 4/5 years, every fan will be looking back at the decision not to sign a proven midfielder this season.

The way in which all of Ake, RLC and Zouma acquitted themselves playing in midfield last season means that yes I would have faith in those three to be adequate replacements for Mikel.

The way in which all of Ake, RLC and Zouma acquitted themselves playing in midfield last season means that yes I would have faith in those three to be adequate replacements for Mikel.

 

Jose uses Mikel to largely good effect when we need to close a game out. That is not a role Ake and RLC can perform as yet, or at least I'm sure Jose wouldn't trust them anyway. The mere fact that we were forced to rely on Zouma in such a way last season should send warning bells. Luckily he performed adequately, but going forward we can't expect to challenge on all fronts next season if we're relying on Zouma (out of position) in big matches. It could be worth a shot to give Romeu a go.