🇳🇬 Mikel John Obi

[The Skipper 20,609]

He had a good game against Everton, but even when he has a good game he isn't influential enough. Matic on the other hand...

The most interesting for me is that Mikel is considered to be a good passer of the ball - not by me.

Unless you are specifically talking about short passing, passing includes many different abilities, some of which Mikel severely lacks. Take his shooting for example, worst of all our midfielders (including Luiz). Technique wise, shooting from distance isn't much different from long passing - he can't do neither. Now we go into short flicks, quick lobs, like the one Luiz made for Azpi (against United or Pool?). Quick flicks are also difficult for him because he lacks mobility, so his passing is done from a very static position - normally sideways.

Honestly I've never seen him give an assist or a nice quick pass to set up a quick counter or movement.

The same argument, that I use for Luiz, market valuation, does not quite work for Mikel. As pointed out by others, only medium and smaller sides show any interest in him.

He used to have it in him (in regards to that long ball that requires a decent amount of vision) but it's been beaten out of him basically.

I remember he used to do them under Ancelotti, who encouraged Mikel to provide those quick forward passes but as I said above he's completely cut it out of his game. I think Ancelotti once said that he's trying to turn Mikel into a Pirlo type player and he certainly had the ability to back then but we just don't see it in his game anymore.

Here's a decent video of Mikel in Ancelotti's second season, the long passes are highlighted at around 0:45:

http://youtu.be/6T-7T2rza3k

He was more positive and creative with his passing but all of that has pretty much been beaten out of him, he's just told to keep it very simple because his main strength is holding onto the ball and recycling possession, which could work very well in a possession based team.

Ironically, for Nigeria he's a completely different player who does do the flicks, the long passes, even finds himself in the box more often. It's weird how he can't translate a fragment of that into his play at CFC because he can be much more dynamic.

[robsblubot 3,595]

He used to have it in him (in regards to that long ball that requires a decent amount of vision) but it's been beaten out of him basically.

I remember he used to do them under Ancelotti, who encouraged Mikel to provide those quick forward passes but as I said above he's completely cut it out of his game. I think Ancelotti once said that he's trying to turn Mikel into a Pirlo type player and he certainly had the ability to back then but we just don't see it in his game anymore.

Here's a decent video of Mikel in Ancelotti's second season, the long passes are highlighted at around 0:45:

http://youtu.be/6T-7T2rza3k

He was more positive and creative with his passing but all of that has pretty much been beaten out of him, he's just told to keep it very simple because his main strength is holding onto the ball and recycling possession, which could work very well in a possession based team.

Ironically, for Nigeria he's a completely different player who does do the flicks, the long passes, even finds himself in the box more often. It's weird how he can't translate a fragment of that into his play at CFC because he can be much more dynamic.

Good post, but I don't buy the "beaten out of him" bit though. And although he is better for Nigeria, I'd not say he's great for Nigeria. Actually, I've heard some (Brazilian) analysts saying during the Conf cup that Mikel was essentially the only good player Nigeria had.

Nobody is telling him to not present himself at all times. Even if he's been told not to make forward runs, which I find difficult to believe. He could be far more mobile in the area of the pitch where he roams.

It's all on him for me..

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Sticking to Twitter after reading this thread.

[happy_juan 64]

Will mooch off the club for the balance years of his contract now.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Will mooch off the club for the balance years of his contract now.

You'll mooch of this site's server space. You're the John Obi Mikel of TC .

[Jase 43,479]

Chelsea's John Obi Mikel 'lined up for potential summer move to Inter Milan'

[Special Juan 28,141]

Matic was the nail in the coffin for Mikel.

He's been a fabulous servant for this club but I think it's time he moved on.

[didierforever 7,349]

Not at all suprised. Will no doubt be sold despite bushman's apparent shock.

[The only place to be 11,313]

£12 million? Nice bit of business. Not sure he'd be missed but he's been part of this club's history and put in some good performances. Italy should suit him nicely although I honestly thought he'd end up going to Turkey, or maybe even Russia.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Wouldn't mind him leaving now that we have Matic, although we could use him as a squad player. But I think Italy would be perfect for him.

That said, it is only the Mirror..

[didierforever 7,349]

£12 million? Nice bit of business. Not sure he'd be missed but he's been part of this club's history and put in some good performances. Italy should suit him nicely although I honestly thought he'd end up going to Turkey, or maybe even Russia.

To be honest, mikel IS a good DM. He would definitwly improve the likes of inter or ac. Plus he is still only 26. Turkey n russia is now literally lije retiremwnt homes and nikel deaerves better than those.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

I'd much rather not have Mikel and Lamps leaving in summer cos we might have to sign another DM. On the other hand this would offer MvG, Romeu and maybe even Chalobah a chance to slot in...

Anyway, he heard he is a doubt for tomorrow, will he be fit to play?

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Chelsea's John Obi Mikel 'lined up for potential summer move to Inter Milan'

Italy will suit him perfectly. No speed to contend with except against roma/napoli. The game is slow possession based football there and is perfect for him.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Anyway, he heard he is a doubt for tomorrow, will he be fit to play?

Everyone was asking about the Canal+ video, no one actually asked Jose about the team news! I guess we'll find out tomorrow about him, Luiz and Oscar.

[The Skipper 20,609]

If Mikel goes, I'd like to see Chalobah given his spot.

That'll leave us with Matic, Ramires, Chalobah and MVG in the pivot (if Lamps doesn't sign a new contract). If we then sign a proper midfield playmaker like Kroos or Gundogan (someone in that ilk anyway) then we'd be set in there for years.

[didierforever 7,349]

If Mikel goes, I'd like to see Chalobah given his spot.

That'll leave us with Matic, Ramires, Chalobah and MVG in the pivot (if Lamps doesn't sign a new contract). If we then sign a proper midfield playmaker like Kroos or Gundogan (someone in that ilk anyway) then we'd be set in there for years.

Romeu deserves a shot ahead of chakobah.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Romeu deserves a shot ahead of chakobah.

I have personally never rated Oriol as high as some do on here, you can check my posts in his thread. I think Chalobah has a higher ceiling and with him coming from the academy and everything, if he actually made it which I think he can, it'd be fantastic.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Love Mikel but seriously. MUST GO. Really for his own sake.

[didierforever 7,349]

Good game. Helped run the clock down plus we needed an extra pair of lega in the mid.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I feel like he does not give 100% for CFC if we compare with his national team performances that is