The Skipper

It's just a personal opinion of mine to be honest. Isco's a great talent, one of the best of his generation for sure, but I think in Spain for their generation Thiago is the most talented. Just love the way Thiago plays.

Similarly with Silva. Silva was just as hyped as Isco was at his age.

In a way, I agree with you. For Nigeria, you can see Mikel plays with a lot of heart, maybe because there he has the platform to express himself. At Chelsea though it isn't the same.

Because Mikel's stagnated whilst Luiz is improving. The only thing we can hope for is that Mikel will pick up next season under Jose.

If I actually remember correctly Mikel played around 12 games under Mourinho as our DM. In the other games he played whilst Mourinho was here Makelele played at DM whilst he was deployed a little further up the pitch. Mikel played a lot more adventurous under Ancelotti in his first season as Ancelotti encouraged him to do so and our tactical system allowed us to do so. They believed in the kid - him and Ray Wilkins: "John can basically become whatever he wants," Ray Wilkins, Chelsea's assistant manager, says. "He's got a lovely range of passing, is strong as an ox and reads the game exceptionally well. Myself and Carlo have just asked him to hit a few more progressive passes." Here are two assists just as a reminder that he was given that extra bit of freedom in the double winning season: At the start: At around 1m40: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcpe90 What I do agree with is that he somewhat limits himself but then again, his current role in the team is not to be the playmaker like he is in Nigeria but to rather be the one who keeps the ball flowing whilst our more forward thinking players set themselves up which is why I say he's been misused as he can offer a lot more but again, it's naive to think that Mikel can't offer anything but 5m passes or slowing down the attack. I'm sorry to keep on harping about his national team performances but in my opinion he shows his true colours for Nigeria. Albeit usually being against poorer opposition, he looks a completely different player because he's got a different mentality and role that exploits his true talents. He's been Nigeria's playmaker during their recent run of success... His touch was superb yesterday, his passing range was great, his ability to escape pressure is excellent and he beat his man repeatedly. Uruguay haven't been at their best in the tournament but to simply dismiss his performance yesterday because of that and to simply think that their midfield is mediocre (a big, big hyperbole) when they are one of the better national teams around is laughable in my opinion. Yeah Uruguay's best players are up front but their midfield is not mediocre. Mikel played well yesterday against a good national team whether you like it or not. My point is that I believe under Mourinho who will motivate the lad and perhaps give him a more expansive licence - he'll offer a lot more in attack than he has for the last 2 seasons. I would keep him around - after all the lad is only 26, was initially Mourinho's project and isn't on monstrous wages. As I've said before, he can at the very least be a good squad player.

I think Thiago's the talent of his generation, not Isco .

Stingray is the meme king in these realms mate.

Carlo Ancelotti said, "I have a lot of trust in Mikel, I think he can be the playmaker of this team. He is a young player, but has great quality, both technical and tactical". Mikel has a great pass on him, he's got good range and if he's allowed to he can orgastrate things but he needs to be given the licence to do so. At Chelsea we just don't utilise that - hence why I believe he's been misused as the anchorman of the team. Just yesterday, Mikel showed a flash of brilliance to level the game against Uruguay a very decent team with some great players - not your Burkina Faso's or Mali's, and absolutely ran the show - yesterday just served as a reminder to what Mikel can do when he's the main brain of the team. Obviously that's not going to happen at CFC when we have Mata and Hazard and even Oscar coming through - Mikel can be an important player in build up play but he's been limited far too much despite that. Like I said before it'll be interesting to see what Jose does with Mikel as after all, he was initially his project. I still don't think he'll be sold - if anything Mikel is at least a good squad player.

I personally thought Mikel in 06/07 was well on his way to become a very great player. Unfortunately he didn't fulfil that and I agree that we're partly to blame for that in misusing him as an anchorman. He's a completely different player for Nigeria as everything goes through him - his passing range is allowed to be exploited - his excellent shielding of the ball is more apparent as he gets the ball in more pressured situations... It's a shame really. I'd still like to see what Mou does with him.

Finally.

Man Utd say hi.

I think this will go on till the end of the transfer window tbh.

Still very, very early.

One signed by your beloved Emelano .

My MOTM. Head and shoulders above the whole Nigerian offence, absolutely everything positive Nigeria did ran through him.

What a game he had.

Was about to say that . About Omeruo... I don't know if he's ready. Want to see him play with the CFC boys consistently before I can say that.

Oh dear. Having a shocking game. It's okay though, should drive a few millions off his price...

Are we not allowed to say someone's scored a good goal if Lampard's scored a similar goal now? Wow.

No he doesn't lack technical ability and he doesn't lack a footballing brain, he's got decent technical ability, it isn't the best but to say he's lacking and to say his footballing IQ is low is bewildering to me tbh. He isn't "just a worker". People go on like that's the only thing he can do which is bollocks to be honest. He's far better than some on here give him credit for when it comes to the other aspects of his game.

Hopefully him having a bad tournament knocks a few million off...

Cavani is half the player he is for Uruguay tbh

Lol sorry, if Suarez or Cavani scored that you'd probably be jizzing. It's a great goal irregardless if it's Mikel or not.

Mikel just reminding everyone of his quality.

WHAT A GOAL. Absolutely running it.