Mikel has played his way back into the starting XI 

 

 

 

Who'd of funked it? 

Its funny how one goal changes peoples opinion of him.

There has always been a lot of Chelsea supporters that were against Obi Mikel and to be honest i don't understand them.He plays very deep and it is not really his job to score goals,even though he had to score a few really playing at this level in such a good team for years.This will probably take a bit of heat of his back and if he can find a constant form from week to week he will be alright.

Edited September 23, 201312 yr by TrueBlueBIH

Stick him up front

There has always been a lot of Chelsea supporters that were against Obi Mikel and to be honest i don't understand them.He plays very deep and it is not really his job to score goals,even though he had to score a few really playing at this level in such a good team for years.This will probably take a bit of heat of his back and if he can find a constant form from week to week he will be alright.

PM Yaya Toure

Edited September 23, 201312 yr by Zola

There has always been a lot of Chelsea supporters that were against Obi Mikel and to be honest i don't understand them.He plays very deep and it is not really his job to score goals

 

Not even the biggest mikel haters said that his job was to score goals

PM Yaya Toure

 

Yaya Toure is a lot more offensive even though he is a defensive midfielder.The class between them is not comparable,Toure is in my opinion the best player in his position in the League and one of City's best players if not the best.Can't really say that about Mikel and Chelsea.

Not even the biggest mikel haters said that his job was to score goals

 

Indeed but he is not as bad as people state him to be.

Yaya Toure is a lot more offensive even though he is a defensive midfielder.The class between them is not comparable,Toure is in my opinion the best player in his position in the League and one of City's best players if not the best.Can't really say that about Mikel and Chelsea.

Easily one of the best players in the league. I'd take him in a heartbeat to Chelsea shirt. One area we lose in quality to Mancs is the DM-spot.

Its funny how one goal changes peoples opinion of him.

 

I've been a Mikel critic over the years, but I don't expect him to score.  I've just been happy with his performances so far.  I think we're much more stable with him in the side at the moment.  He made a few driving runs against Fulham as well and played as a more complete midfielder, I hope to see him utilised more like that.

Long may it continue.

Think toure and Mikel are very similar. Both seem to turn it on in the big games but toure often gives up when he can't be arsed. Its why I love Ramires cos he gives it his all no matter what the situation. Mikel has proved me wrong this season and I am enjoying watching him play

The only similarities that I see between them is that they are both from Africa and play football.

Just so you know.... John Obi Mikel hattrick - 300/1 tonight.

Just so you know.... John Obi Mikel hattrick - 300/1 tonight.

 

Or buy some sherbet dip and get some value for money out of your quid. 

I am reliably informed that Mikel is saving his next goal for the weekend. (a screamer from what I have heard)

Just so you know.... John Obi Mikel hattrick - 300/1 tonight.

be mad not to, great odds!

By saying him and toure are very similar I meant in the regard that they're both big game players and not the playing styles.

Mikel on form is a top midfielder. Playing for Nigeria he bossed spains midfield but deeper for us he was a monster against Munich. The big problem I had with him is can he be effective in a midfield 2 and he is silencing those doubts.

Heres a trip down memory lane:

Friday, 20 May, 2005

Obi desperate to sign for Chelsea

John Mikel Obi

Man Utd go to Fifa in Obi row

John Mikel Obi says he wants to sign for Chelsea - just a month after agreeing a deal with Manchester United.

United and Norwegians Lyn Oslo lodged a complaint with Fifa over Chelsea's pursuit of Obi on Wednesday after he said he was forced to sign for United.

In a bizarre interview with Michael Crick on BBC's Newsnight, 18-year-old Obi claimed he had never wanted a move to Old Trafford.

And he said Chelsea know they are the only club he wants to join.

Obi agreed a move to United on 29 April, but since that time has performed a U-turn, insisting he had been bullied into agreeing the switch.

It is a claim furiously denied by United chief executive David Gill and Oslo's sporting director Morgan Anderson.

They have both signed the documents that are on their way to Fifa's headquarters in Zurich.

Transcript of interview on Newsnight, BBC2, 19 May.

Michel Crick (MC): Do you want to play for Man Utd?

John Mikel Obi (JMO): No.

MC: You don't?

JMO: No.

MC: Why not?

JMO: (laughs) because I don't want to.

MC: But you signed for them?

JMO: Yeah.

MC: Why did you sign for them?

JMO: I don't know, something happened, you know.

MC: What was the something?

JMO: No, no, no. I don't want to play for them.

MC: Do you want to play for Chelsea?

JMO: Yeah.

MC: You do?

JMO: Yeah.

MC: And why do you want to play for Chelsea?

JMO: Because I love Chelsea.

MC: You love Chelsea?

JMO: Yeah. And I'm going to be happy when I'm there.

MC: Right. And have you spoken to Chelsea about this?

JMO: Yeah, they know.

MC: They know that do they?

JMO: Yeah.

MC: Can you give me a clue as to why you changed your mind?

JMO: No, I never wanted to play for United.

MC: You never wanted to play for United?

JMO: Yeah.

MC: Why did you sign for them then?

JMO: I was forced to.

MC: What forced you to sign for them?

JMO: What forced me?

MC: Yes.

JMO: Some people.

MC: Some people?

JMO: Yeah.

Edited November 13, 201312 yr by Zola

Who ever opened this thread is an absolute Legend,i think people would appreciate Mikel far more if he would score a couple each season.Truth to be told midfielders should be able to get a few goals per season and in a quality team like this he should really work on it.I remember when Makelele played for us in his 5 seasons he scored only two goals and one was from a penalty if my memory serves me right.I would also add that in no way i am comparing those two since in my opinion no dmf has ever came close to be as good as Makelele.

Edited November 13, 201312 yr by TrueBlueBIH

The Makelele role

Interesting interview... good thing he can play football.

                            Mikel is the most underrated player in our club. I have never understood why he doesn't get the credit he deserves.

 

                            He is our only defensive midfielder, good at tackling, intercepting, keeping possession, passing and aerial dominance.

 

                             His main job is to protect the back four, win the ball back from the opposition and leave the scoring to Torres et al.

 

                             Michael Essien was used as a defensive midfielder but was wasted in that role because he is essentially an attacking midfielder who is now past his best,

 

                             Mikel controls the midfield better than Ramires and his passing is 92% compared to Ramires 87%. He gives Ramires plenty of scope to move forward in attack.

 

                             He  may not be the most attractive player to watch but he is the best in the Premiership at what he does.

 

                             He plays the Makelele role -  protect the back four and leave the scoring to others.

Mikel is the most underrated player in our club. I have never understood why he doesn't get the credit he deserves.

He is our only defensive midfielder, good at tackling, intercepting, keeping possession, passing and aerial dominance.

His main job is to protect the back four, win the ball back from the opposition and leave the scoring to Torres et al.

Michael Essien was used as a defensive midfielder but was wasted in that role because he is essentially an attacking midfielder who is now past his best,

Mikel controls the midfield better than Ramires and his passing is 92% compared to Ramires 87%. He gives Ramires plenty of scope to move forward in attack.

He may not be the most attractive player to watch but he is the best in the Premiership at what he does.

He plays the Makelele role - protect the back four and leave the scoring to others.

Don't really agree with any of that but I've highlighted that one sentence in particular because I think it raises a decent issue.

Mikel has to play at the moment because as you say he is our only defensive midfielder. This however does not mean he excels in the role. The passing stats you quote don't mean a thing and I'm staggered people still come out with them! And as for controlling the midfield? I've never seen him control a midfield once. Not even close. Oh, and as for 'ariel dominance '? That ones a joke right?!

When he plays we are a bit more solid granted but when be plays our play is just so slow. He takes an age to get the ball moving and is the prime example of why it takes forever to get the ball forward to our attackers. Against a team who defends deep it just becomes so frustrating as we get nowhere.

We need someone in he role who can play it quickly. Looks around, gets ball and passes. Mikel does the opposite - looks up after getting the ball. He is in the team by default and we really need an upgrade and have done for about half a decade now.

I'm boring everyone to death about this at the moment but it's all about our midfield right now. It's just so flawed and not one combination of what weve got is the answer. The best duo is Mikel and Ramires but that certainly doesn't mean Mikel is excelling and a key part of our future. I think he's had his many chances and the club can do better and I think Jose may just feel the same too.

I expect our midfield to be very different this time next year. Perhaps even by Feb as this nonsense can't go on any more.

Edited November 13, 201312 yr by bjd