You know our form is well and truly in the toilet when there are calls for Mikel to be put into the Starting XI.

20 hours ago, Jon Stakes said:

 

No, Mikel is not responsible for that. Mikel practically only played the second half of the season and Chelsea was actually 5th in the second half, if I'm not mistaken.

But obviously Kante is irreplaceable. If Mikel needs to sub anyone its either Matic or Fabregas on an off-day.

We finished 5th in the second half of the season because Costa and Fabregas finally started contributing to the attack, it's got nothing to do with Mikel coming into the team. If Costa and Fabregas carried on being as bad as they were in the first half of the season, then it's likely we would have finished off the season near the bottom of the table. 

The only difference having Mikel in the team under Hiddink was that he was more composed on the ball than Matic was. The same problems in our game existed though. We were still leaving massive gaps in the midfield for the opposition, it was one simple pass through the middle and they were running at our defence. Mikel offered as much protection to the defence as Matic did. 

Mikel was right to be called back into the team last season, but it's more because we had no choice rather than because he was any good.

5 hours ago, Jonty said:

You know our form is well and truly in the toilet when there are calls for Mikel to be put into the Starting XI.

It's the same every time. We play sh*t and people start asking for Mikel again, forgetting that there is very little improvement when he does come back in. I would much rather we gave Chalobah a try than go around in circles and try out Mikel again.

Just let Mikel go and finally play some first team football elsewhere. Chelsea need to move on, give Chalobah a chance for Matic.

5 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

We finished 5th in the second half of the season because Costa and Fabregas finally started contributing to the attack, it's got nothing to do with Mikel coming into the team. If Costa and Fabregas carried on being as bad as they were in the first half of the season, then it's likely we would have finished off the season near the bottom of the table. 

The only difference having Mikel in the team under Hiddink was that he was more composed on the ball than Matic was. The same problems in our game existed though. We were still leaving massive gaps in the midfield for the opposition, it was one simple pass through the middle and they were running at our defence. Mikel offered as much protection to the defence as Matic did. 

Mikel was right to be called back into the team last season, but it's more because we had no choice rather than because he was any good.

It's the same every time. We play sh*t and people start asking for Mikel again, forgetting that there is very little improvement when he does come back in. I would much rather we gave Chalobah a try than go around in circles and try out Mikel again.

Interesting. So basically you confirm Mikel was not responsible for last seasons poor outing.

15 hours ago, Jon Stakes said:

Interesting. So basically you confirm Mikel was not responsible for last seasons poor outing.

No, he was just as responsible.

He could well play centre-back in a three-man defence. Against Arsenal we saw our first indication that Conte considers it a genuine option to help out our ailing defence.

On 27.09.2016 at 11:34, PloKoon13 said:

He could well play centre-back in a three-man defence. Against Arsenal we saw our first indication that Conte considers it a genuine option to help out our ailing defence.

 

I think we can all agree that that was always a terrible idea.

On 9/27/2016 at 14:34, PloKoon13 said:

He could well play centre-back in a three-man defence. Against Arsenal we saw our first indication that Conte considers it a genuine option to help out our ailing defence.

Yup, let's put CAM to CB, because why not ?

Does anyone ever wonder if Mikel's style/lack of ambition is a bad example for other players in the squad? I know we need squad players but he has seemed so content with being a squad player for so long. I don't know, maybe it's just me. And make no mistake, I like Mikel and I think he's an asset to the squad. 

1 hour ago, edewaarb said:

Does anyone ever wonder if Mikel's style/lack of ambition is a bad example for other players in the squad? I know we need squad players but he has seemed so content with being a squad player for so long. I don't know, maybe it's just me. And make no mistake, I like Mikel and I think he's an asset to the squad. 

I don´t know what is wrong with his style tbh and if the lack of ambition damage other players then i really have to question the other players. i mean they are young adults and they possess a brain therefore i think they can cope with a player like Mikel and otherwise there are players like Terry, Cesar Willian or whoever fits your bill. They are not Kindergarten kids okay....

Edited September 29, 20169 yr by Nevamind

Does anyone ever wonder if Mikel's style/lack of ambition is a bad example for other players in the squad? I know we need squad players but he has seemed so content with being a squad player for so long. I don't know, maybe it's just me. And make no mistake, I like Mikel and I think he's an asset to the squad. 

If you really like him and think he his an asset, you wouldn't have thought of him being a bad example in anyway to others. And you won't even have typed all this.

Never heard Mikel is a bad example to others before, that's a new one, a true professional being a bad example? "I always respect the football club’s decision. The club is more important than me.” Just because he's happy to be at a club he loves without playing every game, doesn't make him a bad example. I'm probably in the minority, but I'd love to see him play tomorrow, just as long as it doesn't interfere with Chalobah's game time. 

Edited October 25, 20169 yr by Floyd25

That's why he is the captain.
You seriously need to see Mikel's goal.

1 hour ago, wallosh said:

That's why he is the captain.
You seriously need to see Mikel's goal.

Pretty hilarious goal :) Everybody just watching the linesman for an offside flag, including the goalscorer Mikel.

The greatest! Moses also scored two goals in this match.

 

Edited November 13, 20169 yr by Jezz

hahaha Mikel looking to the linesman and then just scores.

Mikel recently cleared up claims on his twitter account about being allegedly "punished" by the club for participating in the Rio Olympics.

https://twitter.com/mikel_john_obi?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

1 hour ago, Jezz said:

Mikel recently cleared up claims on his twitter account about being allegedly "punished" by the club for participating in the Rio Olympics.

https://twitter.com/mikel_john_obi?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

Say what you want about him in terms of his skill, ability etc, but he's a consummate professional

Mikel recently cleared up claims on his twitter account about being allegedly "punished" by the club for participating in the Rio Olympics.

https://twitter.com/mikel_john_obi?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

He is actually been punished for going to the Olympics instead of trying to impress the new manager in preseason. Its very obvious especially when he could not even be on the bench for the EFL.
He knows it but he is trying to prevent himself from falling into a similar situation like that of Yaya Toure so he has quickly come out to rubbish claims he is been punished by Conte.

6 minutes ago, wallosh said:

He is actually been punished for going to the Olympics instead of trying to impress the new manager in preseason. Its very obvious especially when he could not even be on the bench for the EFL.

Nope, not buying that.

He and Conte both have said they spoke about and agreed it was fine for him to play in the Olympics.

Truth is Mikel is in the last year of his current contract, the manager is looking to play a high tempo game with quick, high press and Mikel isn't really suited to the style.

Conte has promoted Chalobah who looks better suited to Conte's style and can be the future of the Chelsea squad, no point giving Mikel minutes when you can play Chalobah.

Mikel was injured for our last League Cup match which is why he didn't feature. 

Nope, not buying that.
He and Conte both have said they spoke about and agreed it was fine for him to play in the Olympics.
Truth is Mikel is in the last year of his current contract, the manager is looking to play a high tempo game with quick, high press and Mikel isn't really suited to the style.
Conte has promoted Chalobah who looks better suited to Conte's style and can be the future of the Chelsea squad, no point giving Mikel minutes when you can play Chalobah.
Mikel was injured for our last League Cup match which is why he didn't feature. 

Yet I don't think that explains why he has never ever even be seen on the bench this season. And that time Conte said he was injured, he played for Nigeria the following week and when interviewed he said he wasn't injured and he doesn't know where the news of his injury comes from and then he gave a solid performance for Nigeria that weekend.
Well he is willing to move on in January which is good for him but for this season I will rather like to have him on the bench than Oscar or Ivanovic.

He's clearly not in Conte's plans and rightly so. So why bother having him on the bench - would just be a waste of a space.

Do hope he get's the opportunity to make some sort of appearance so the supporters can give him a good send-off and show their appreciation, but that might have to come in an FA Cup tie.

 

I agree that Chalobah is a more natural fit than Mikel for Conte's midfield, however I think he should be Azpilicueta's backup at centre back. Mikel is almost perfect for a shuttling role in a back three (i.e. not as the libero); he is as positionally responsible as you could want a player to be, he can comfortably keep possession as his passing and technique are both excellent, and is strong in the air.

If Ivanovic and Terry are to say their farewells at the end of this season, we will need a) cover in defence (and midfield) and b) some sort of continuity from the old regime to counteract the haemorrhaging of experience which will come with the departure of the two legends. There's only one man for the job.

I really like Mikel. His time is over ovbiously but he's been an excellent player to have over the past ten years.

Quite vital in our CL-win and a few other titles aswell over the years.

 

8 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

I agree that Chalobah is a more natural fit than Mikel for Conte's midfield, however I think he should be Azpilicueta's backup at centre back. Mikel is almost perfect for a shuttling role in a back three (i.e. not as the libero); he is as positionally responsible as you could want a player to be, he can comfortably keep possession as his passing and technique are both excellent, and is strong in the air.

If Ivanovic and Terry are to say their farewells at the end of this season, we will need a) cover in defence (and midfield) and b) some sort of continuity from the old regime to counteract the haemorrhaging of experience which will come with the departure of the two legends. There's only one man for the job.

 

Let it go Ploks!!

Why try and squeeze a square peg into a round hole. With JT and Ivan leaving after this season we will probably look to sign one other plus we will hopefully have Christensen and a fit again Zouma. 

I know JOM is a favourite of yours but he will not be needed. In that back three it helps to have pace (something Mikel has never really had) and I'm not sure he has ever been "strong in the air" either.