Who Should Take Over The Makelele Holding Role?

[True_Blue 469]

I voted for Mikel,but i doubt we will play with a defensive midfielder under Scolari.

[the wes 7,212]

John Obi Mikel is confident that he can step into the boots of Claude Makelele at Chelsea. The Blues parted company with the veteran holding midfielder last week, allowing the Frenchman to join Paris Saint Germain.

"I played that role sometimes last season and hopefully I'll have a long run in the team now," said Mikel.

"It's something I've wanted - a run in the team - and I suppose Claude's departure has opened up that door for me, but I was playing in that role when I was in the team last season too.

"I was in and out of the team last season, but when I was given a chance under (former manager Jose) Mourinho before, I actually did okay in that holding role. I think I did very well under Mourinho and was playing regularly.

"Of course, when a new manager comes in everyone has to start afresh and roll up their sleeves. In Avram Grant's time I was in and out of the side, and that was a bit frustrating, but it's what happens in football.

"This time, under the new boss, I will try to make it my position in the team each week."

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=103989

[Badboy 1,526]

The people who say nobody, know nothing about football nothing at all.

Edited July 25, 2008 by Badboy

[CFC-Lloydy 38]

Mikel here!

He such a good player in my eyes and he got a lot to offer at his young age!

[misschief 24]

either ways we have 3 positions for 5 quality midfield players. Not all of them are going to play all the matches.

That's good because these 'old codger's' need a rest eh?

Oh and I voted nobody because we should play 6 up front.

Edited July 25, 2008 by misschief

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

The people who say nobody, know nothing about football nothing at all.

We're just glory hunters....right ?

[Kez 2,727]

The people who say nobody, know nothing about football nothing at all.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

That's good because these 'old codger's' need a rest eh?

Oh and I voted nobody because we should play 6 up front.

[Elliott 7]

The people who say nobody, know nothing about football nothing at all.

And why is that?

I said nobody. Simple reason being that I don't think either Essien or Mikel are suited to replace Makelele. They are different types of players and as such we will have to play differently. We still need defensive minded midfielders, but we don't have a Makelele, Mikel and Essien are different and will play slightly different roles.

You have said yourself before that Mikel is wasted in a Makelele role, but he would be the player to take it up if we DID force someone to take it up. However in the Guangzhou game it was clear that we weren't employing a Makelele role at all, rather using our midfield differently. I prefer that, I prefer a change, I think it will do us good.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Totally agree with Elliot.

Scolari has ideas of his own he wants to use at Chelsea. He's shown that already with his first team and formation.

More of the same today :thumbsup:

[Badboy 1,526]

And why is that?

I said nobody. Simple reason being that I don't think either Essien or Mikel are suited to replace Makelele. They are different types of players and as such we will have to play differently. We still need defensive minded midfielders, but we don't have a Makelele, Mikel and Essien are different and will play slightly different roles.

You have said yourself before that Mikel is wasted in a Makelele role, but he would be the player to take it up if we DID force someone to take it up. However in the Guangzhou game it was clear that we weren't employing a Makelele role at all, rather using our midfield differently. I prefer that, I prefer a change, I think it will do us good.

[/quot

Elliott, midfielders in the premiership would have a field day if we did not have a player

shielding the back four at all times.

[Elliott 7]

And Mikel and Essien will do that to a certain extent, but not in the way Makelele did. They are different players which is my point, and we can't rely on Mikel or Essien to be Makelele.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

As Elliott says, no-one will replace Makelele, for two reasons. The first is that Claude Makelele's defensive discipline means that he can never be replaced in such a sense. Furthermore, Scolari has shown he will use a different system, and the Makelele role will most likely be shared between two, deeper midfielders, who will still go forward and attack with the team. As previously mentioned, Mikel and Essien are similar to Maka, but don't possess the same ability to 'replace' him in the side.

[oxfordblues 299]

Nobody! Abandon it and be more adventurous!.

if we do play it then mikel is your man