I remember him playing some killer passes under Ancelotti

I wonder how different his Chelsea career would have been if he was not converted to a DM

He would have been a top player. Even Yaya Toure never had the sort of potential Mikel had when we signed him.

Edited August 14, 20169 yr by wallosh

He would have been a top player. Even Yaya Toure never had the sort of potential Mikel had when we signed him.

You can't say he would of been a top player. You simply don't know. Was you watching Toure's career before he joined Barca?

I remember him playing some killer passes under Ancelotti

Me too, they ended up killing Ancelotti's career at Chelsea

David Luiz's "not me" moment is what did it I think.

No gold medal for Mikel... bah.

Mikel a couple of great moments yesterday. Especially the one move where he dribbled past 2-3 players and almost scored. Would you believe it?

Mikel a couple of great moments yesterday. Especially the one move where he dribbled past 2-3 players and almost scored. Would you believe it?

That would have been the best goal of the tournament.

I think Mikel have waisted his career playing as defensive midfielder when he could have been regarded as a top attacking midfielder.

Mikel a couple of great moments yesterday. Especially the one move where he dribbled past 2-3 players and almost scored. Would you believe it?

Yeah, i watched it yesterday and he was so composed, although most of his teammates couldn't cope with the pressure.

Admittedly I only saw the second half but it was a horror show as far as passing was concerned (which I suppose is to some extent expected with young players, but still). Nigeria played Mikel really far forward, almost as a support striker; it's a shame they didn't encourage him to drop deeper so he could get on the ball more often.

Admittedly I only saw the second half but it was a horror show as far as passing was concerned (which I suppose is to some extent expected with young players, but still). Nigeria played Mikel really far forward, almost as a support striker; it's a shame they didn't encourage him to drop deeper so he could get on the ball more often.

Was thinking the same. Should be played deeper in this game.

Admittedly I only saw the second half but it was a horror show as far as passing was concerned (which I suppose is to some extent expected with young players, but still). Nigeria played Mikel really far forward, almost as a support striker; it's a shame they didn't encourage him to drop deeper so he could get on the ball more often.

The second half was terrible from Nigeria. Mikel was a lone figure with his teammates misplacing passes left and right. This is partly explained by Etebo out injured and Azubuike out on a yellow card. With them out Mikel didn't have anyone to pass with save for Usman. The replacement players were terrible passers and massive downgrades. Still Mikel was the best thing Nigeria had in the front.

For those interested in how Mikel is doing:

Nigeria en route for gold. And Mikel with 2-3 assists (depending on how you count assists).

For those interested in how Mikel is doing:

Nigeria en route for gold. And Mikel with 2-3 assists (depending on how you count assists).

Is not it done?

I thought Nigeria just won the bronze

For those interested in how Mikel is doing:

Nigeria en route for gold. And Mikel with 2-3 assists (depending on how you count assists).

Nigeria lost to germany in the semi's.

I thought you were the official african football correspondent? :)

so he got the bronze now.

bronze medal tally : mikel 1 pele 0

 

can we stop the debate now?

Sorry. I meant bronze. Wrote gold. Wishful subconscious thinking ;)

Still three assists.

I just found out this fact that Mikel actually paid for some of his team expenses when he played for Nigeria. :o NFA have claimed to pay Mikel back, but I have to give this man a bit of props for doing this. Remember what Ghana did in 2014 Brazil?

Guess we'll see if this is true, but Conte apparently wants Mikel to play more in the role he features for Nigeria, meaning a creative midfielder or attacking midfielder..

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2016/09/07/exclusive-conte-hands-new-role-to-mikel-at-chelsea/

Edited September 7, 20169 yr by Jon Stakes

Black Modric confirmed, sign him up Antonio.

So we are finally going to see a more attacking Mikel at Chelsea. he will most likely be back up to Matic who plays more offensive now under Conte making those late runs into the box

21 minutes ago, pacquiao said:

So we are finally going to see a more attacking Mikel at Chelsea. he will most likely be back up to Matic who plays more offensive now under Conte making those late runs into the box

Mikel. Double figures in goals. Heard it here first. :]

It is a Nigerian site that wrote it, so treat it with a grain of salt. That said - with Kante at the back Mikel doesn't need to dilly dally at the back so much.

Well there was that rumour of him wanting to play as an AM, time for Nigerian Messi to take the number 8 shirt