🇳🇬 Mikel John Obi

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

could not disagree more. There is a lot better football to be watched instead.

When an African nation win something or at least make it to a freaking final somewhere, anywhere, then we can have a discussion about quality.

BTW, I invite you to watch every state cup in Brazil. You will get to watch countless 'divisionless' teams playing against the few top sides who are coming from vacation. There will be countless matches to watch. They are all crap, but only after you watch a few matches from one of the states' cup you can then move on to the next state. There are many states, so you will be quite busy for a while...

Do Olympics or Confederations cup count?

:eyebrows:

[Jase 43,479]

It already happened under Benitez and we went on a great run securing third place when many thought we would not and winning the Europa League ,Rafa embarrased Mikel, to have a kid play in your place in an important game is a big insult ,

Benitez had made up his mind on Mikel ,even Lampard who we were told could not play 2 games a week was playing three at the end. Luiz,Lampard,Ramires,Ake were all in front of Mikel at the end of the season ,he was dropped.

Are you implying that we went on the great winning towards the end of last season, securing 3rd and winning the Europa League all because Mikel didn't play?! if you are, then that is just simply a load of nonsense. We achieved what we did last season because of other factors. Has nothing to do whatsoever with Mikel not playing. The players simply roll up their sleeves and got together to achieve what we need to then. We also relied on some luck, moment of individual brilliance and some heroic defending to get us through. And Rafe embarrassed Mikel? In what way? It's obvious that you don't rate Mikel, like many others here, but if you are say why you don't rate Mikel or why he's horrible, at least get the facts right and stop plucking things from thin air to suit your agenda. As CHOULO has already pointed out, the likes of Luiz, Lampard, Ramires and Ake all played instead of Mikel was simply because he was injured.

[Phil Driver 503]

I just wish people would actually watch the AFCON or at least have some idea about African football before making claims about it's level..

Just a minor note since you seem to be basing your whole argument on the "fact" that Mikel was dropped at the end of last season, but I thought you should know that Mikel was injured for the last 3 weeks of the season which is why he didn't participate in any matches.

That being said, even assuming that he was indeed dropped, I cannot see how this is going to be problematic for Jose next season. There is absolutely no logical connection between Mikel signing a 5-year contract then being dropped by a managed that has already departed and Jose having problems with Emenalo.

Mikel was not injured ,Benitez declared him fit for the Villa game in a press conference,perhaps you do not have Chelsea TV? this is a major note in the argument. Make no mistake he was dropped ..

[Phil Driver 503]

Great timing

[Phil Driver 503]

• By Mirror Football
• Comments

Aston Villa vs Chelsea team news: Lampard gets chance to break the record10 May 2013 10:23

Villans defender Matt Lowton could miss his first game of the season with a thigh strain

Record breaker: Lampard is one strike away from being highest ever goal scorer

Getty

Aston Villa right-back Matthew Lowton faces a late fitness test ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea.

The Villans defender had been ever-present this season until being forced off at Norwich with a thigh strain last weekend and will be assessed later today.

Defender Ciaran Clark (foot) and midfielder Karim El Ahmadi (thigh) are still out, along with long-term absentees Richard Dunne, Marc Albrighton, Gary Gardner and Chris Herd.

Provisional squad: Guzan, Given, Lowton, Vlaar, Lichaj, Stevens, Baker, Bennett, Sylla, Ireland, Westwood, Dawkins, N'Zogbia, Bannan, Holman, Benteke, Agbonlahor, Bent, Bowery, Weimann.

Late fitness test: Lowton will be assessed for a thigh strain

Chris Brunskill

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will start tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash at Aston Villa as he bids for the club's goalscoring record, interim manager Rafael Benitez confirmed.

Eden Hazard (calf) and fellow forward Victor Moses (leg) are doubtful, but Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel (hip) is available again as the Europa League finalists focus on their bid for a top-four place.

Ryan Bertrand (knee) is out, but Oriol Romeu is in contention following his long-term absence with a knee problem.

Provisional squad: Cech, Turnbull, Hilario, Cole, Ivanovic, Romeu, Luiz, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Oscar, Mata, Moses, Lampard, Hazard, Torres, Benayoun, Mikel, Marin, Ake, Ferreira, Ba.

Seeing as we like facts on here lets get a few facts ,factually correct .

Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-vs-chelsea-team-1879851#ixzz2VzZz5GAu
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

[wj818 25]

Do anyone of you think mikel never fulfilled his potential because of our everchanging managers? I mean everytime he established himself in the first eleven, the manager would change, forcing him to start from square one time and time again. Or is it because he had to adapt from being an AMF to DMF? Or or he simply isn't good enough?? #just a food for thought

[Jase 43,479]

@Phil Driver, this was said in Benitez's presser before the Villa game. He was asked about the fitness of some players.

Victor Moses has been limping, Ryan Bertrand is still not available and [John] Mikel Obi was training today, which is good news,' explained the Blues boss.

Source: http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3173003/title/benitez-one-game-away

Him saying Mikel was training today, which is good news then basically meant he hadn't been training before that. Was injured and yet to be fully fit. And even in the pre-Spurs game presser, Benitez said he wasn't available for that one because he still has some pain (with the hip injury).

Moreover, Guardian had Mikel as doubtful for that Villa game.

Doubtful Hazard (calf), Mikel (hip), Moses (thigh), Romeu (match fitness)

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/10/aston-villa-chelsea-squad-sheets

And in the club's website on the squad that traveled to Amsterdam for the Europa League final...

Both Terry and Hazard were withdrawn at Aston Villa on Saturday but join the squad that will train at the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday evening ahead of Wednesday's match, while Mikel has missed the last four matches with a hip problem.

Source: http://www.chelseafc.com/pre-season-tour-article/article/3178784/title/terry-hazard-and-mikel-travel

Edited June 12, 2013 by BluesMaster

[Reddish-Blue 2,505]

Are you implying that we went on the great winning towards the end of last season, securing 3rd and winning the Europa League all because Mikel didn't play?! if you are, then that is just simply a load of nonsense. We achieved what we did last season because of other factors. Has nothing to do whatsoever with Mikel not playing. The players simply roll up their sleeves and got together to achieve what we need to then. We also relied on some luck, moment of individual brilliance and some heroic defending to get us through. And Rafe embarrassed Mikel? In what way? It's obvious that you don't rate Mikel, like many others here, but if you are say why you don't rate Mikel or why he's horrible, at least get the facts right and stop plucking things from thin air to suit your agenda. As CHOULO has already pointed out, the likes of Luiz, Lampard, Ramires and Ake all played instead of Mikel was simply because he was injured.

To be fair, seeing a Chelsea team without Mikel was a breath of fresh air.

We got to see other players given a chance in midfield (eg. Luiz and Aké) which is always a good thing

I think José will give Mikel a good old kick up the ass, give him a bit of freedom and see how he goes...at the worst, he can still be a squad midfielder for us.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Mikel was not injured ,Benitez declared him fit for the Villa game in a press conference,perhaps you do not have Chelsea TV? this is a major note in the argument. Make no mistake he was dropped ..

He said in the press conference that Mikel had returned to training but before the match he was declared unfit by the Chelsea twitter account as Jason has pointed it out.

And no, this is not a 'major point'. Even if he was dropped by Benitez, this has almost zero influence on the next season since we are under new management.

[Jase 43,479]

To be fair, seeing a Chelsea team without Mikel was a breath of fresh air.

We got to see other players given a chance in midfield (eg. Luiz and Aké) which is always a good thing

I think José will give Mikel a good old kick up the ass, give him a bit of freedom and see how he goes...at the worst, he can still be a squad midfielder for us.

Yeah but that's a complete different matter altogether. And it's not like they only got to play in midfield because of Mikel's absence.

[robsblubot 3,595]

He said in the press conference that Mikel had returned to training but before the match he was declared unfit by the Chelsea twitter account as Jason has pointed it out.

And no, this is not a 'major point'. Even if he was dropped by Benitez, this has almost zero influence on the next season since we are under new management.

That's not true. Mourinho will get swathes of information on the current squad. He will also receive insider's info from the staff , which includes a lot more data/stats than what we have access to (for example fitness levels).

It is likely Mikel will get a chance, esp if we don't sign a new holding mid, but I'd not believe for a second that Mikel's performance last season won't be taken into account by the new management.

BTW, that's assuming Essien does not regain some form.

[The only place to be 11,313]

According to reports that Galatasaray move is dead in the water. Oh well....just have to wait until Nat and Ruben come by in a couple of years and put him out to pasture.

[bleed_blue 136]

According to reports that Galatasaray move is dead in the water. Oh well....just have to wait until Nat and Ruben come by in a couple of years and put him out to pasture.

That move was never ON. It was just a bunch of Nigerians trying to talk up Mikel.

and as far as Chelsea's performances with/without Mikel are concerned, here is what happened last year when Mikel started vs when he did not start

With Mikel starting

games: 32

won: 14

drawn: 7

lost: 11

goals scored: 54

goals conceded 49

Without Mikel in the starting XI

games: 37

won: 25

drawn: 7

lost: 5

goals scored: 93

goals conceded: 33

If there is such a drastic change in the team's performances/results by the exclusion of 1 player, No sane person can deny that a major reason for our good end of the season form was Mikel staying out of the team. Look at win %age, loss %age, goals scored per game, goals conceded per game. In every aspect we were much better off when Mikel was kept out of the starting XI.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Who gave Mikel a 5 year deal and who dropped him?

Answer 1 Someone at the club .

Answer 2 our last manager .

Do you think Benitez dropped him because he is Nigerian? strange question .

No it was because he was rubbish .

Why do people try to blame everything they don't like on Emelano?

[Jase 43,479]

That move was never ON. It was just a bunch of Nigerians trying to talk up Mikel.

and as far as Chelsea's performances with/without Mikel are concerned, here is what happened last year when Mikel started vs when he did not start

With Mikel starting

games: 32

won: 14

drawn: 7

lost: 11

goals scored: 54

goals conceded 49

Without Mikel in the starting XI

games: 37

won: 25

drawn: 7

lost: 5

goals scored: 93

goals conceded: 33

If there is such a drastic change in the team's performances/results by the exclusion of 1 player, No sane person can deny that a major reason for our good end of the season form was Mikel staying out of the team. Look at win %age, loss %age, goals scored per game, goals conceded per game. In every aspect we were much better off when Mikel was kept out of the starting XI.

I know many here don't rate Mikel at all but to use misleading stats like that is just nonsensical. It's just so convenient for people to pick up stats like that to highlight the supposed rubbishness of player and at the same time, dismiss other factors that led to that stats. I'm pretty sure the low win percentage etc with Mikel comes during the mid season when we have our annual winter slump with the entire team just played like rubbish from November till about February. But of course, nobody is gonna look into these factors. And to say Mikel not playing contributes to our good end of season form is just plain nonsense for this reason posted below.

Are you implying that we went on the great winning towards the end of last season, securing 3rd and winning the Europa League all because Mikel didn't play?! if you are, then that is just simply a load of nonsense. We achieved what we did last season because of other factors. Has nothing to do whatsoever with Mikel not playing. The players simply roll up their sleeves and got together to achieve what we need to then. We also relied on some luck, moment of individual brilliance and some heroic defending to get us through.

To almost blame everything that is wrong on Mikel is just pathetic. As if everything we failed to do right in a game is his fault.

[klopfzeichen 78]

I know many here don't rate Mikel at all but to use misleading stats like that is just nonsensical. It's just so convenient for people to pick up stats like that to highlight the supposed rubbishness of player and at the same time, dismiss other factors that led to that stats. I'm pretty sure the low win percentage etc with Mikel comes during the mid season when we have our annual winter slump with the entire team just played like rubbish from November till about February. But of course, nobody is gonna look into these factors. And to say Mikel not playing contributes to our good end of season form is just plain nonsense for this reason posted above.

To almost blame everything that is wrong on Mikel is just pathetic. As if everything we failed to do right in a game is his fault.

I agree with BlueMaster, using this type of stats to bring down MIkel is nonsense. He may have his defects but not every thing wrong with the team is the fault of only one player.

[nono 791]

7 seasons is enough. Better players have been given less of a chance here. I think he's a decent player, but not good enough for us. Our midfield got exposed too often against better teams this season. If not Mikel, who's responsibility do you think that is ? Don't give me Nigeria statistics please. The standard of African football isn't exactly that high right now.

Even if we sign Cavani and still keep Mikel around, we will suffer. I honestly hope we bring in a great central midfielder. That is perhaps the glaring weakness in the team right now after the striker position. I thank Mikel for his service all these years. But hopefully both he and the club can now move on to other things.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

That's not true. Mourinho will get swathes of information on the current squad. He will also receive insider's info from the staff , which includes a lot more data/stats than what we have access to (for example fitness levels).

It is likely Mikel will get a chance, esp if we don't sign a new holding mid, but I'd not believe for a second that Mikel's performance last season won't be taken into account by the new management.

BTW, that's assuming Essien does not regain some form.

Again, I can't see the connection. We are under new management. Mikel, as you said, will get a chance, and if he proves himself in training and on the pitch, he will get a starting place. I'm sorry, but I still can't understand how a few performances from last season come into the equation.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Even if you raise fair points otherwise (that I don't agree with), that one is ridiculous... I mean there's competent staff who monitored the team and if someone plays so much games, it's either that his presence is justified or if the players down them in the pecking order aren't trusted yet (the Chalobahs, RLC etc)

That's a great point, managers used to ask to Mikel to play the Mikel role every week, without variation ; especially Ancelotti. That was one of the key of the instant success in 09/10 but in some way, it paused Mikel's own evolution.

Villas Boas brang new ideas about that interchanging triangle midfield with more fluidity, players holding others role depending of the situation etc... but overally that wasn't functional because the team wasn't on the same wavelength, the pressing and the ball retention weren't efficient enough to allow freedom.

Mourinho knew what he wanted from Mikel because he had an overral view of his team, a clear idea of how he wanted his team to play on medium term

Scolari did put Mikel in front of the back four after Essien's injury, as it was a working formula, that was kept by him or Hiddink.

Ancelotti used players as tools to play his system, it worked but players really were to the service of the team.

Villas Boas wanted to do the same, but it didn't work.

Di Matteo and Benitez did chose the same approach which was the rigid application of basic principles, the two lines of four, proper way to get the ball out from the back using triangles on the channels... so the system over individuals

(as highlighted by the instructions given to Hazard, Mata defensively... whereas a manager with more room tactically would find a formula to pack the midfield in order to release his attackers from the tasks to defend)

I think those managers were led by two different kinds of dynamics (mainly): the one based on the application of a given gameplan (Ancelotti, AVB, Scolari) with different levels of success ; the one based on short term, so a basic but efficient gameplan with either the same XI or a mathematical turnover (Benitez, Hiddink, Robbie)

Mourinho was the only one who considered his squad as his working material to improve, he had a clear view of what he wanted and expected from each and every player and not just for the next game, month etc... ; he wasn't driven by any kind of urgency nor "restraint" to use a squad he didn't put together, no filing

I think it had an influence on Mikel's developpement. If you look at Lampard, Terry, Deco, Ballack, A.Cole... none of them did improve one of the facets of their game ; they did find a context, gameplan etc... to express themselves more or less. Because they were 26, 27, 28 years old at the peak of their career (athletically, in terms of experience, tactically, establishement/reputation...)

Mikel had or didn't had the right context to perform but wasn't taken into consideration as a player with room for improvement: back from September 2008 he was taken into the virtually insane dynamic of games, pressure of immediate result which several managers were under. He was the player allowing balance in a key area of the pitch, so there was no reason to change his role, especially because that would mean a dip in results (attacking, defensively...)

Since 2008 he has been considered as a key player, an experienced one... Impressive when we look at how many 21 years old midfielders were regular starters in such an exposed zone of the pitch like him.

So much things happened since Mourinho left, though I can't help to think that was just kind of an interlude... sometimes it feels like it was yesterday and things really went fast.

It seems that time fled for Mikel as well but there wasn't any godfather anymore to monitor his developpement ; actually he suffered from having been made of a starter at 21 because the managers in charge did consider him as an already established player and they didn't have either room, envy or time to think about his case.

That's an observation, I would say I'm not concerned by Mikel's case as long as what matters is Chelsea FC and managers were right to play a working system rather than challenge what was obviously working (Mikel restricted in a precise role)

The last one who wanted to change things regarding Mikel has been Villas Boas who lost his job, also because his management of the Mikel case fucked up even more things that were already not well managed elsewhere on the pitch/at the club.

Brilliant analysis mate about our managers. Too bad very few people will actually attempt to read that because it's truly a top post. Thanks for that.

[TrippingStep 336]

I don't see the brilliance of the post.

Too vague and basicly Mourinho is the best, all the other coachs suck more or less.

He can have good analysis but on player analysis, I'm not sure I'd trust Seb.

For example his first post on Loïc Remy one or two years ago, there are many things that were wrong and was overselling him badly. Loïc Remy technical ability are average at best and is mostly a counter-attack forward that needs lots of space.

I don't know but for me with his opinion on Mikel, Moses, Remy, it's like he sees football only one way and forgets some subtleties of the game.

And to compare Di Matteo, Benitez and Hiddink because of some basic stuff but forgetting all the differences, It's despicable.