He has shown his true value in the games against PSG and Everton.

 

Today's performance cant really change my opinion of him. Still want him gone this summer.

Knee jerk reactions, has the occasional good game and the messages come flying out.

Strong character on the bench will do more harm than good. Leaders should always be on the starting 11 else not in the club at all.

If a player isnt good enough to start then the should not be allowed to project any influence.

More harm than good? Disagree there, he's been at Chelsea for years, hasn't always been a starter, just because he's a strong character, does not mean he may be disruptive. Mikel is a good man to have around, as I say he's a good role model for the youngsters, a true pro, I've never heard him complain once.

Knee jerk reactions, has the occasional good game and the messages come flying out.

Maybe with some, some Chelsea fans have rated him since day one, always harshly viewed though.

So, I am reading that Mikel popped off about Jose again in this recent international break, is that true?  Also, I read that Mikel is expecting 90 minutes constantly...not sure how accurate that is.

 

I think he is a player worth keeping around, and that he has always seemed fine as a squad player, but if he is "expecting" 90 minutes, then I can't see that continuing.

 

If anyone has links about these supposed demands, I'd like to know

 

Thanks

More harm than good? Disagree there, he's been at Chelsea for years, hasn't always been a starter, just because he's a strong character, does not mean he may be disruptive. Mikel is a good man to have around, as I say he's a good role model for the youngsters, a true pro, I've never heard him complain once.

 

What position does he play next season though? Considering Conte's preference for high intensity, dynamic players I don't see how he fits in.

More harm than good? Disagree there, he's been at Chelsea for years, hasn't always been a starter, just because he's a strong character, does not mean he may be disruptive. Mikel is a good man to have around, as I say he's a good role model for the youngsters, a true pro, I've never heard him complain once.

 

Dont think you got the initial comment mate.

 

"Strong character" here does not mean strong character as an individual. Mikel is mentaly strong in his head no doubt about it. "Strong character" here meant a leader amoung the first team like JT, Drogba and Lampard were. Dont think mikel has ever been looked at as a strong character at Chelsea until Jose's sacking this time. He was well behind JT, Drog, Lamps, Cole, Ivanovic, Cech, Ballack, Luiz etc.

 

You simply can not have a leader of men who is likely not even on the bench regularly. As for being role model, he will never be able to gain respect of talented youngsters the way someone like Lampard or Terry are able to. Simply because he is a mediocre player by Chelsea standards.

Mikel is absolutely stealing a living and has been for the last decade. He doesn't bring anything to the team in the slightest, but Emenalo will keep rolling out the contracts for him. 

 

He needs to be sold as fast as possible. So much deadwood at this club. 

^ lol

Mikel is absolutely stealing a living and has been for the last decade. He doesn't bring anything to the team in the slightest, but Emenalo will keep rolling out the contracts for him. 

 

He needs to be sold as fast as possible. So much deadwood at this club. 

It's been a while splishsplosh.. how are you?

Mikel is absolutely stealing a living and has been for the last decade. He doesn't bring anything to the team in the slightest, but Emenalo will keep rolling out the contracts for him. 

 

He needs to be sold as fast as possible. So much deadwood at this club. 

 

Weird comment from someone with Mikel as their profile picture.

It's almost like he's on a wind-up...

It's almost like he's on a wind-up...

 

Just wondering where do you see Mikel fitting in a Conte system?

Mikel is absolutely stealing a living and has been for the last decade. He doesn't bring anything to the team in the slightest, but Emenalo will keep rolling out the contracts for him. 

 

He needs to be sold as fast as possible. So much deadwood at this club. 

 

This is an interesting one. I don't think there's much truth in this notion that Emenalo keeps Mikel around because of the innuendo-laden nods and winks that some people make, but in my experience there does seem to be a slight link (not in all cases) between those who would defend both individuals.

 

That's not a dig but an observation and I am quite prepared to be told I'm completely wrong, but the prevailing thought is that both probably shouldn't be at the club in the near future and those who hold the contrary view on both issues often seem to be the same group.

 

That's just something I've gleaned from social media and other avenues. Are these people being contrarians because that's always an attractive stance for some or are we actually scapegoating two valuable members of this club's past, present and future?

What position does he play next season though? Considering Conte's preference for high intensity, dynamic players I don't see how he fits in.

 

 

Just wondering where do you see Mikel fitting in a Conte system?

Does it need to be spelled out for us? Nigerian Pirlo.

Edited April 5, 201610 yr by TheChelseaBlues

Does it need to be spelled out for us? Nigerian ______.

 

Sold?

Sold?

Hahaha, didn't edit it in time, check again

Mikel is absolutely stealing a living and has been for the last decade. He doesn't bring anything to the team in the slightest, but Emenalo will keep rolling out the contracts for him.

He needs to be sold as fast as possible. So much deadwood at this club.

Thanks for the contribution troll.

Dont think you got the initial comment mate.

"Strong character" here does not mean strong character as an individual. Mikel is mentaly strong in his head no doubt about it. "Strong character" here meant a leader amoung the first team like JT, Drogba and Lampard were. Dont think mikel has ever been looked at as a strong character at Chelsea until Jose's sacking this time. He was well behind JT, Drog, Lamps, Cole, Ivanovic, Cech, Ballack, Luiz etc.

You simply can not have a leader of men who is likely not even on the bench regularly. As for being role model, he will never be able to gain respect of talented youngsters the way someone like Lampard or Terry are able to. Simply because he is a mediocre player by Chelsea standards.

I see what you are saying, maybe he is not a strong character, not compared to the players that you mentioned, however I disagree with the notion that to be a good role model, you have to play regularly and you have to be better than ‘mediocre’. I saw on Loftus Cheek's debut, Mikel putting his arm around him and talking to him, he helped him through the game, besides mediocre player or not, I think he can be described as a role model due to the way that he's carried himself over the last ten years, he's had dogs abuse from his own supporters (something I don't understand), been treated like the Nigerian Jokanovic, yet he never complains and more often than not puts in a solid shift. Too many young players these days moan and whine about game time and act like stars, we signed him when he was a kid and he wasn't like that.

Edited April 5, 201610 yr by Floyd25

With the terrible form of Matic, you could argue that Mikel has saved us this season. Mikel is a good squad player there is a reason every manager has used him. 

Too many young players these days moan and whine about game time and act like stars, we signed him when he was a kid and he wasn't like that.

 

I think Mikel has had a decent season capped off by his best performance in years against Palace and then a series of OK performances but let's no rewrite history. Not only did he run away from Norway after signing with United then changing his mind, he wasn't a model pro as a youngster here. I can appreciate that some admire the way he's happily sat on the bench but he doesn't seem to be too keen on that next season which almost certainly means he's leaving doesn't it?

 

Is there any chance that Conte includes him in his plans?

With the terrible form of Matic, you could argue that Mikel has saved us this season. Mikel is a good squad player there is a reason every manager has used him.

What exactly has he saved us from?

Don't get me wrong, he's probably had one of his best seasons for the club but Mikel performing at his best doesn't win you football matches.

What exactly has he saved us from?

Don't get me wrong, he's probably had one of his best seasons for the club but Mikel performing at his best doesn't win you football matches.

Munich 2012 and he has contributed to winning football matches, he took two players out of the game to set up a goal only three days ago.

I think Mikel has had a decent season capped off by his best performance in years against Palace and then a series of OK performances but let's no rewrite history. Not only did he run away from Norway after signing with United then changing his mind, he wasn't a model pro as a youngster here. I can appreciate that some admire the way he's happily sat on the bench but he doesn't seem to be too keen on that next season which almost certainly means he's leaving doesn't it?

Is there any chance that Conte includes him in his plans?

Agreed, as a youngster he was not perfect, I think he had the tenacity to get a red card every now and again, something which he's taken out of his game. He's getting older and I can respect the fact that he wants more game time now, I do think he's likely to leave, I just hope he leaves with a bit of appreciation and not fans dishing out the silly abuse, like some have.

Munich 2012 and he has contributed to winning football matches, he took two players out of the game to set up a goal only three days ago.

I was referring directly to the poster saying this season Mikel has saved us due to Matic's bad form.

But referencing a game from four years ago isn't the most compelling defence you can make for a player.

I think you've missed my point about Mikel winning us matches. He's a tidy player, very safe in possession and rarely loses the ball and often starts attacking moves.

However, he rarely plays an incisive final ball, that passage of play against Villa was a rarity rather than the norm. He doesn't score many goals, his defensive positioning isn't that great, not the most solid tackling defensive midfielder you'll ever see.

So the point I was making is, Mikel at his best makes the team neat in possession, keeps the ball moving etc. but will rarely directly contribute to the things that win you matches.

I know this reads as me knocking him but that's not the intention.

So the point I was making is, Mikel at his best makes the team neat in possession, keeps the ball moving etc. but will rarely directly contribute to the things that win you matches.

You may well have been describing Antonio Conte how Antonio Conte describes himself as a player