Mikel John Obi

[The Skipper 20,593]

Yawn.

Gilvorak on his beloved Torres, January 2014:

Sell this scumbag already. The difference in quality between him and Sturridge is sickening.

[y10edn 185]

JOM: cat with 9 life's, always written off before the season but ends up staying

[Blue Armour 4,164]

With the squad that we have right now, I'm glad he gets the odd game once in a while to maintain some match fitness...if Matic weren't able to start, we would have no one in a similar mold for a holding mid, now that David Luiz has left.

[OneMoSalah 8,614]

You can see why hes in the squad. Matic really had a mixed game as did Ramires and they struggled at times to give the back 4 protection. Mikel came on when he did, made us a bit more solid and it ended up being a very good substitution.

[Special Juan 27,100]

That back heel must be worth a new contract

[Styles 9,790]

That back heel must be worth a new contract

Deserves a statue in my honest opinion. The shape of his body as he hit that backheel immortalised forever

[BlueLion. 21,491]

You can see why hes in the squad. Matic really had a mixed game as did Ramires and they struggled at times to give the back 4 protection. Mikel came on when he did, made us a bit more solid and it ended up being a very good substitution.

Precisely. He's nowhere near as bad as people make out. He can be utterly horrific at times, but sometimes he can be really, really impressive - but I think that's why we're so easily frustrated by him. It's like, sometimes, he doesn't give a damn.

[GodZola 630]

Whilst there are lots of posts frothing at the mouth over Mikel's contribution for the last goal and rightly so as he finally showed some talent that members on here keep telling me he possesses in his locker but has rarely produced, so credit where credit is due. However as I like to play devils advocate lets also look at his first contribution too. He conceded the foul that led to Everton's third goal (oh go on you doubters get on your download of the game or You Tube and check - you know you want too!) Luckily we went on to score 2 more so neah bother but his arse must of been tweaking till we scored again!

He is still in the squad for 2 reasons, the first and has rightly been pointed out is that we couldn't shift him and I'm not going into the politics of that but i concur with it, secondly Romeu and Van Ginkel prob in jose eyes don't possess the experience that Mikel has so he has been given the nod - just, but I bet it was a close call, not sure on the clubs stance with Romeu but certainly with Van Ginkels case I think after his injury he needs to play regularly so the club can assess whether he will feature next season or not, however with the clubs recent policy on loan players to get round FFP then one or both next summer could be sold with Mr Jon Obi most definitely joining them.

As for José rating Mikel, well he certainly doesn't trust him to start unless he has no choice, that was evident last season when he selected a out of form CB ahead of him to play in all the big games and only trust his services to 'shut up shop' at a games finale, good management but thats how good managers become great ones.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Keshi on Mikel's lack of game time at Chelsea :

"He's not playing in his team that doesn't mean I can't use him in my team. He earned his place"

Classy there.

[happy_juan 64]

A major reason behind our solid start to the season. LEGEND

[The Skipper 20,593]

A major reason behind our solid start to the season. LEGEND

Yeah, he sure is. That back heel against Everton is possibly the greatest moment so far this season

[Special Juan 27,100]

I couldn't understand him not winning POTM ahead of Costa.

[Fulham Broadway 16,393]

Brilliant at holding when 1-0 up with 70 mins left, but not someone to be a game changer when we're 2-0 down.

Integral to Joses methodology.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Put my neck on the line, he should be given a chance. Probably not against city though but after.

Either you play a pivot with two players who protect the defence as much if not more than they initiate attacks. Matic and Ramires have not done that.

Or you play with one which solely sits in front of defence so the five in front can play with a little less responsibility on each player. Matic hasn't done that.

But Mikel can and I have wanted this guy out the team for years!

Play him and matic. Let matic get forward. And Mikel sit deep

[Styles 9,790]

Solid performance. It's no surprise Ake played well with a such an experienced senior player by his side.

[Cosmin 2,484]

Good performance again today, against Sporting. He brought some freshness and calm to our game.

[The Chels 2,502]

Don't think he gives as much composure as we'd expect. Watching Atletico play this season Tiago has been absolutely amazing even against the likes of Real. I'm still disappointed that we didn't replace Mikel with him.

[edetarod 2,155]

Good performance again today, against Sporting. He brought some freshness and calm to our game.

well duh, how can you come off the bench tired?