🇳🇬 Mikel John Obi

[robsblubot 3,595]

I disagree with the loyalty remark that's always made in Mikel's case. So many squad-players left not because of a lack of loyalty but because they wanted to play. And they were willing to earn less if it meant they could play. It's different when you start 15-25 games and show quality, but Mikel's happy to sit on the bench and come on for a few minutes here and there. That's his decision but I don't understand why Chelsea would have such a player on the roster. Matic and Fabregas would play game after game after game... Tired, exhausted, out of form, terribly out of form. They play. No competition. The alternative options are so bad they can't come in and do better. Forced to continue with Matic-Fabregas because what else is there? That's unbelievable for a club like Chelsea.

agreed.

Mikel isn't loyal - he is unambitious. Or perhaps he is very ambitious about money ONLY!

Perhaps he and his agent know he cannot do better, and/or he and his family, are comfortable with life in London, who knows?!

Players are NOT loyal to their clubs! Just like people are not loyal to companies/business they work for. because being loyal to a company or club would be fucking STUPID and I hope he and his agent are smarter than that.

Companies and clubs are NOT loyal to players and professionals.

The point, however, is whether we can have a fit replacement at the moment (bought or young) or we have other areas that demand more immediate attention.

I also ^^ tend to believe our expensive coaching staff on whether RLC is ready or not.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I disagree with the loyalty remark that's always made in Mikel's case. So many squad-players left not because of a lack of loyalty but because they wanted to play. And they were willing to earn less if it meant they could play. It's different when you start 15-25 games and show quality, but Mikel's happy to sit on the bench and come on for a few minutes here and there. That's his decision but I don't understand why Chelsea would have such a player on the roster. Matic and Fabregas would play game after game after game... Tired, exhausted, out of form, terribly out of form. They play. No competition. The alternative options are so bad they can't come in and do better. Forced to continue with Matic-Fabregas because what else is there? That's unbelievable for a club like Chelsea.

People call him a loyal servant not because he's stayed a long period, they call him loyal because throughout his time here he always did his best for the team and always acted professionally, helping when asked to and never complaining or acting in a selfish manner. And even when that term is used as one of the reasons to keep him, it's not meant that the club owes him anything, at least not to me; it is used in a sense that we know the level of professionalism and dedication we can expect from him.

Also, Mikel and Ramires are NOT the reasons why Matic and Fabregas were never rested. They were rarely rested because because Jose Mourinho does not believe in rotation. In fact, Ramires and Mikel were still our most used squad players along with Zouma despite all the minutes that Matic and Fabregas still played.

[mccg 1,528]

Overall i think its fair to say that it will be good when we get a Mikel upgrade!

[DYC. 7,542]

People call him a loyal servant not because he's stayed a long period, they call him loyal because throughout his time here he always did his best for the team and always acted professionally, helping when asked to and never complaining or acting in a selfish manner. And even when that term is used as one of the reasons to keep him, it's not meant that the club owes him anything, at least not to me; it is used in a sense that we know the level of professionalism and dedication we can expect from him.

Also, Mikel and Ramires are NOT the reasons why Matic and Fabregas were never rested. They were rarely rested because because Jose Mourinho does not believe in rotation. In fact, Ramires and Mikel were still our most used squad players along with Zouma despite all the minutes that Matic and Fabregas still played.

You're killing me, Choulo. Mikel and Ramires. Flawed, such flawed individuals. Just saying their names sounds like I'm mentioning a bad TV sitcom.

Question marks over whether Matic and Fabregas are good enough to start for Chelsea? Question marks over whether Mikel and Ramires are good enough to be back-ups? Sigh. I know what my answer is. Midfield is dead.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

You're killing me, Choulo. Mikel and Ramires. Flawed, such flawed individuals. Just saying their names sounds like I'm mentioning a bad TV sitcom.

Question marks over whether Matic and Fabregas are good enough to start for Chelsea? Question marks over whether Mikel and Ramires are good enough to be back-ups? Sigh. I know what my answer is. Midfield is dead.

Not really the points you originally made and I tried to refute, but anyway...

Yes, Ramires(technical ability) and Mikel(dynamism) are deeply flawed and so are Matic(consistency) and Fabregas(physical abilities).

For me, Fabregas should not be starting for any top team, while Matic is certainly good enough to start and Mikel and Ramires good enough to be backups, though you can definitely have better options than all three of them. I just don't think that that is a pressing priority considering all the other more critical deficiencies we have in team at the moment (including replacing Fabregas himself).

[robsblubot 3,595]

You're killing me, Choulo. Mikel and Ramires. Flawed, such flawed individuals. Just saying their names sounds like I'm mentioning a bad TV sitcom.

Question marks over whether Matic and Fabregas are good enough to start for Chelsea? Question marks over whether Mikel and Ramires are good enough to be back-ups? Sigh. I know what my answer is. Midfield is dead.

Only one of these players played at the highest level for long stretches of time (for us and previous club) and yet he gets put in the same bucket as others who have never showed and consistency at same high level in their entire careers. * not my opinion only: go back to winning season and check ratings/stats pundits.

I know which players will turn good again once we get the teamwork is back... the ones who were good once.

[DYC. 7,542]

Not really the points you originally made and I tried to refute, but anyway...

Yes, Ramires(technical ability) and Mikel(dynamism) are deeply flawed and so are Matic(consistency) and Fabregas(physical abilities).

For me, Fabregas should not be starting for any top team, while Matic is certainly good enough to start and Mikel and Ramires good enough to be backups, though you can definitely have better options than all three of them. I just don't think that that is a pressing priority considering all the other more critical deficiencies we have in team at the moment (including replacing Fabregas himself).

You mentioned Mourinho not willing to rotate but I thought he rotated (a lot) more in his Inter and Real Madrid days. But that's not even important, my post wasn't about rotation. My post was about the lack of quality of Mikel (and Ramires) and what they offer to the team. Maybe I should've made that more clear. I know how you feel about Mikel so any discussion about him would be useless.

That last part of my post was an extension of sorts. You made think of Chelsea's midfield. I can be all over the place. It's your own fault for quoting me.

You think you could convince Juve to switch midfields with Chelsea? They've been weakened after the summer but I'd still prefer that bunch.

[DYC. 7,542]

Only one of these players played at the highest level for long stretches of time (for us and previous club) and yet he gets put in the same bucket as others who have never showed and consistency at same high level in their entire careers. * not my opinion only: go back to winning season and check ratings/stats pundits.

I know which players will turn good again once we get the teamwork is back... the ones who were good once.

Fair enough on Matic. I'm not his biggest fan at the moment so I'm probably being harsh.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

Every time a new manager comes in he seems to get a new lease of life it's so frustrating that this cycle will never end. Regardless of him being a long time servant his simply not good enough for what we aim to achieve at the club. That's why Matic has arguably dropped in form because there was no real competition for him  

[Fernando 6,585]

Yeah he does good for like a game or two before going back to being mediocre. 

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

The only three certain things in life:

1.Death

2.Taxes

3.Mikel

[DYC. 7,542]

I called you average. I questioned your role in the team. Well, I said you need to go. You must've read my posts.

Unrecognisable for me. He rocked it today.

[Ossie the King 634]

1 minute ago, DYC. said:

I called you average. I questioned your role in the team. Well, I said you have to need to go. You must've read my posts.

Unrecognisable for me. He rocked it today.

Fair play to you for having the balls to say that. I'll join you.

Never disliked Mikel but not his biggest fan, yet he put in an outstanding performance today. Please keep it up.

[Fulham Broadway 17,312]

Superb today, probably his best game since Munich

[DYC. 7,542]

1 minute ago, Ossie the King said:

Fair play to you for having the balls to say that. I'll join you.

Never disliked Mikel but not his biggest fan, yet he put in an outstanding performance today. Please keep it up.

I have nothing against Mikel. Not the slightest bit. But I don't like his football at all. Think he's regressed from what he used to be years back. He does too little for me.

But today he was fantastic. Big move from Hiddink too. But it worked out brilliantly.

[Kieran. 6,317]

*applause for Mikel*

*scattered applause for Mikel's backers*

[Eidur the Spider 4,515]

Outstanding play today, was phenomenal. Gets so much stick but in games like today he's invaluable. Really happy for the guy!

[Tautvix 1,321]

I'd be hugely disappointed if Mikel didn't start the next game.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Easily the most enjoyable part of today's game. Was great to see a player who could actually play football again.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

"He's won more than you! He's won more than youuuuuu! John Obi Mikel, he's won more than you! "

Couldn't stop laughing  

Great performance today.