He will retire at Chelsea. Everyone knows his limitations, but every manager we had all played him in important roles, I'm sure not all of them are duds.

rarely moves the ball forward forward 

 

At least we've evolved from the usual bullsh*t 'never moves it forward'.

 

You'll also find you are the one who put spin on it, we can all play that game and spin it better or worse, Plokoon actually did it quite neutrally. Your negatives spin mostly seem to revolve around the fact that he isn't the best in the squad/world at them which is obviously never gonna be true and not what was being argued.

 

And your rebuttal to physicality is 2 other players are taller than him? Ok.

Edited July 27, 201510 yr by Stim

Its laughable the amount of stick Mikel gets, such a lack of respect by some.

 

 

Second longest serving member of the squad by accident apparently

He will retire at Chelsea. Everyone knows his limitations, but every manager we had all played him in important roles, I'm sure not all of them are duds.

Ever since Jose has returned, Mikel's role in this team has decreased significantly. That can't be a mere coincidence. 

 

I really can't see him retiring here, he has two years left on his contract, after that's up, he'll probably move to the MLS to continue collecting his paycheck. 

1) He's excellent at keeping possession (see the Southampton game from last season, if not see Palace)

2) His close control is very good

3) He's two-footed

4) His first touch is excellent

5) He's the most unselfish member of our entire squad

6) He has excellent positioning

7) He's reasonably physically robust

8) He's great at closing out games blah blah blah

 

N.B. He's not on 90k/week

No doubt he's a good player but you're overrating him a bit here to the point that you're making yourself look like a fan boy. Plokoon I consider you a good poster that always provides good insight and is levelheaded but that post is shameful to say the least. 

 

With Mikel, since Mourinho came back he's clearly got his idea on how he wants us to play, and Mikel doesn't exactly provide those qualities. Even when he's been called upon in recent times to "secure the midfield", the work he's done has been almost lacking in my opinion. I don't doubt his skill, maybe he just doesn't care -- carelessness could be a reason he's been subpar since 2013. 

 

 

It could also be possible that Jose doesn't even rate him, last season could be evidence. Matic and Fabregas were on their last legs towards the tail end of the season, but Jose didn't even bother giving Mikel a look. 

No doubt he's a good player but you're overrating him a bit here to the point that you're making yourself look like a fan boy. Plokoon I consider you a good poster that always provides good insight and is levelheaded but that post is shameful to say the least. 

 

O come off it. It was perfectly acceptable. Shameful really? To say the least? Get a grip. Or are only the negative opinions correct? 

Edited July 27, 201510 yr by Stim

also wasn't it a mix of injury and African Cup of Nations that kept him out of the squad for the most part of last season so yes he is a support player but I am sure he will have a bigger role this season. 

Edited July 27, 201510 yr by PedroMendez

Shameful, get a grip. It's amazing how any positivity towards Mikel inspires such bollocks like that.

So

 

1) Slows the tempo of our play and rarely moves the ball forward forward and as we saw against PSG, is liable to complacency on the ball.

2) Is it really any better than anyone elses in the team?

3) Two-footed to what extent? That he can do 5 yard passes with his left? Again, I think everyone in the team can do that, I can even do that.

4) Again, is it really any better than anyone else in the team? Who has a worse touch than Mikel?

5) Doesn't have the ability to create so he moves it on to those who can...pretty much everyone else in the midfield and even our full backs.

6) Not remotely true, often slow to get into position

7) He's playing a position where physicality is one of the most important traits, but he's tiny compared to Matic and even Loftus-Cheek towers over him

8) I remember numerous times last season when we were winning games, Jose would bring on Mikel and then we'd concede and end up drawing.

 

Doesn't really look that great without all the spin on it.

 

To be frank Matic is enormous, Mikel is still 6' 2'' I think, more than tall enough for his position.

At least we've evolved from the usual bullsh*t 'never moves it forward'.

 

You'll also find you are the one who put spin on it, we can all play that game and spin it better or worse, Plokoon actually did it quite neutrally. Your negatives spin mostly seem to revolve around the fact that he isn't the best in the squad/world at them which is obviously never gonna be true and not what was being argued.

 

And your rebuttal to physicality is 2 other players are taller than him? Ok.

To be frank Matic is enormous, Mikel is still 6' 2'' I think, more than tall enough for his position.

 

To answer both your comments, the point of mine was to point out that all the positives that were able to be pulled out about Mikel's contributions to our squad in Plokoon's post, are applicable to just about everyone else in the team.

 

Ok he can pass the ball with two feet, he is physically robust, he has a decent first touch, he can sometimes keep possession, so what? Shouldn't any professional footballer at this level and on that money be able to do that?

 

Everyone else in the squad seems to be there for a reason above what the minimum expectation of a top class footballer should be able to do. Sure they don't always stack up to what is expected of them, eg. Cuadrado, but you can at least see the reasoning for going after him.

 

The fact that no-one can think of a single thing Mikel can offer that virtually any other player can't shows why he is a wasted squad spot.

aw c'mon Jonty...we know that you secretly love him...all that stuff you raise is but a smokescreen to hide your adoration

Was he a waisted squad spot in the champions league final? Fair enough that was three years ago, I just thought that Mikel would have earned a little bit of respect by now. Some of you act like Mikel has never had a good game and has never been an important player, when he has. I'll admit that he can be very frustrating to watch, he was against PSG, but I think you have to be blind, to not see that when he does play well, he does offer stability and he does have very good close control. I don't understand the constant bashing of a longtime member of this squad.

Edited July 27, 201510 yr by Floyd25

Was he a waisted squad spot in the champions league final? Fair enough that was three years ago, I just thought that Mikel would have earned a little bit of respect by now. Some of you act like Mikel has never had a good game and has never been an important player, when he has. I'll admit that he can be very frustrating to watch, he was against PSG, but I think you have to be blind, to not see that when he does play well, he does offer stability and he does have very good close control. I don't understand the constant bashing of a longtime member of this squad.

Who's actually bashing him though? It's very annoying how any hint of criticism at Mikel is seen as "vitriol" and the person will be labeled a Mikel-hater so to speak. 

 

I actually think Mikel is a good player, but I'd rather not blind myself to what's infront me. Mikel's last good game was probably away to Derby County in January 2014. For the money he's on, we should be allowed to expect more from him as fans. 

Who's actually bashing him though? It's very annoying how any hint of criticism at Mikel is seen as "vitriol" and the person will be labeled a Mikel-hater so to speak. 

 

That's not the case, I could also try claim any pro poster is labelled a mikel fanboy. 

 

Your comment about him being happy to be paid for nothing and the guy calling him a leech was bashing. Any actual criticism was addressed properly.

Edited July 27, 201510 yr by Stim

Who's actually bashing him though? It's very annoying how any hint of criticism at Mikel is seen as "vitriol" and the person will be labeled a Mikel-hater so to speak. 

 

I actually think Mikel is a good player, but I'd rather not blind myself to what's infront me. Mikel's last good game was probably away to Derby County in January 2014. For the money he's on, we should be allowed to expect more from him as fans. 

 

Some people bash him to be fair, but i think the majority of the criticism just comes from people that don't rate him. Nobody had a problem with the amount of criticism Torres was getting so i don't see why Mikel shouldn't get the same if people don't think he is good enough.

 

I don't have any problem with Mikel, i just don't think he is good enough for the squad and i think it would be better to see Mikel's minutes given to a younger player. I honestly would rather we kept Ake this season and have him take Mikel's position in the team, mainly because i think Ake can do just as good a job and could gain a decent amount of experience. I just don't see Mikel as a Mourinho type player, he doesn't bust a gut to stop the opposition, he losses concentration, he's not that great at tracking back ( something a DM should be good at ), he can't / won't tackle and i don't think he is as hard working as other players. I have seen Loftus-Cheek get a bit of stick of late for not working hard enough, but he looks like he works a lot harder than Mikel on the field.

 

Even bringing Mikel on as a late sub isn't working anymore, it's just inviting a ton of pressure. The opposition know now that us bringing on Mikel means one thing, that we are going to sit back and try and see out the win, and last season it didn't work.

 

I wish he was the best African footballer in the world right now, i would like nothing more than all of our players to be world class, but sorry, i just don't think Mikel is anywhere near good enough.

Some people bash him to be fair, but i think the majority of the criticism just comes from people that don't rate him. Nobody had a problem with the amount of criticism Torres was getting so i don't see why Mikel shouldn't get the same if people don't think he is good enough.

I don't have any problem with Mikel, i just don't think he is good enough for the squad and i think it would be better to see Mikel's minutes given to a younger player. I honestly would rather we kept Ake this season and have him take Mikel's position in the team, mainly because i think Ake can do just as good a job and could gain a decent amount of experience. I just don't see Mikel as a Mourinho type player, he doesn't bust a gut to stop the opposition, he losses concentration, he's not that great at tracking back ( something a DM should be good at ), he can't / won't tackle and i don't think he is as hard working as other players. I have seen Loftus-Cheek get a bit of stick of late for not working hard enough, but he looks like he works a lot harder than Mikel on the field.

Even bringing Mikel on as a late sub isn't working anymore, it's just inviting a ton of pressure. The opposition know now that us bringing on Mikel means one thing, that we are going to sit back and try and see out the win, and last season it didn't work.

I wish he was the best African footballer in the world right now, i would like nothing more than all of our players to be world class, but sorry, i just don't think Mikel is anywhere near good enough.

You have notting to sorry for and for me your right on the button.

Your comment about him being happy to be paid for nothing and the guy calling him a leech was bashing. Any actual criticism was addressed properly.

Exactly, but I also see people blaming any defeat on him, the moment he comes on, everything is always his fault to some people. I take the point that maybe he is no longer good enough, but there's no reason for people to constantly slate him. I don't get the comparison to Torres, Mikel was not signed for 50 million for one thing, different positions, different expectations etc..plus it isn't like Mikel has never been an effective player.

Bang average player who's upgrade is long overdue. When he eventually leaves Chelsea there will be very little interest, if any from any other Prem club... which tells u all u need to know ...

Edited July 28, 201510 yr by cfcblue

Was he a waisted squad spot in the champions league final? Fair enough that was three years ago, I just thought that Mikel would have earned a little bit of respect by now. Some of you act like Mikel has never had a good game and has never been an important player, when he has. I'll admit that he can be very frustrating to watch, he was against PSG, but I think you have to be blind, to not see that when he does play well, he does offer stability and he does have very good close control. I don't understand the constant bashing of a longtime member of this squad.

 

Great so we are going to hear about his CL final performance once more. Maybe we should resign Kalou and Bosingwa, they were also good in that final. 

Bang average player who's upgrade is long overdue. When he eventually leaves Chelsea there will be very little interest, if any from any other Prem club... which tells u all u need to know ...

 

Basing a players worth on others clubs interest always makes me laugh.

 

Great so we are going to hear about his CL final performance once more. Maybe we should resign Kalou and Bosingwa, they were also good in that final. 

 

It's the easiest rebuttal to the he is useless argument. It's not being used to say he is the best in the world so what's your point? But it's great you think Kalou was good in that final.

Basing a players worth on others clubs interest always makes me laugh.

 

 

It's the easiest rebuttal to the he is useless argument. It's not being used to say he is the best in the world so what's your point? But it's great you think Kalou was good in that final.

 

Not exactly considering it is one game, long servent of the club I hear we should not disrespect him, great 'ONE' game I hear? Well there you go.

 

For the record Kalou was good in that final, keeping Franck Ribery quiet in the final is no easy accomplishment, him and Bosingwa did a remarkable job quite honestly, as did everyone else in that game, please try and tell me one player from that game who didn't play well, I would really like you to try.

Not exactly considering it is one game, long servent of the club I hear we should not disrespect him, great 'ONE' game I hear? Well there you go.

 

It's the most memorable game. Who is going to remember random PL games and the like ? He was also instrumental in the Barcelona semi. People are fans but we aren't going to remember every game he played.

 

I already said Kalou

Well perhaps you don't remember the PL games but I do Stim.

I don't remember him being instrumental in the CL semi or final, I remember him doing the job he was assigned. Could plenty of other people have done that job? Well Zouma did the same job in the League Cup final this season without ever even playing in that role before.

 

Frankly if we're getting Stones i'd rather use Zouma as a back up to Matic than Mikel.

Edited July 28, 201510 yr by Jonty

I say we have to put the faith in Zouma at the back. He's not a replacement for John Terry, he doesn't seem to have that awareness or organisation Terry has from what I've seen, he's less patient. I think he has a lot of potential though, could definitely be an upgrade on Gary Cahill I reckon, his physical abillities is what really makes him stand out, great amount of pace and is certainly no pushover.

 

Mould him now and we have a great defender in our side for many years to come.

 

Good thing is Mourinho clearly rates him, he got a lot of gametime last season, look at it from a youngster perspecive at this club and you'll see the signifance of the gametime he got compared to others, we've shown a lot of faith in him, I have no doubt we have plans for him. I also have no doubt those plans are for him in defence and no where else, that would be a waste of his talents.