The problem with mikel is simple. 1. He thrives in a 4-3-3, 3 man midfield. 2. He is not a natural DM, he's not an AM, he can only play as a CM. His peformances for nigeria from the youth stages till now is proof of this 3. He enjoys possession football. Proof of this is his best season came under ancelloti who was a total possession manager. Even in nigeria now, he is the star player because of the possession football we play. This is what makes him limited, he can't change his game to suit a counter attacking style, he is not a mobile player which is required for a pivot. His main attribute is to keep possession as long as chelsea don't play possession, mikel will struggle. Only ancelloti played his true game.