Mikel John Obi

[Muzchap 8,966]

'They figure out he's shit and then he gets benched -then they sacked?' So are you now indicating in the slightest that Mikel has gotten managers sacked? I mean cmon, talk about ridiculous posts. I mean sure people can complain about things like his lack of ambition while passing and that but to say something like that is daft.

Also 8 managers of different philosophies and playing styles had constantly been picking Mikel up until 2013 on a regular basis since he joined the club so I can't exactly see how we are still debating whether he's ever been good enough or not. His appearances under a variation of coaches, who collectively have won near enough every trophy in club football prove he is good enough at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Ex-players like Michael Ballack, said on Sky Sports in a game we played in Europe at some point last season we should have been playing Mikel in the game because hes a good and very important player.

I can't see Jose setting up with a Ramires-Cesc midfield duo. It would be too easy for teams like Man City or even Man United to come in and use bigger powerful athletic players and overrun us in there. Matic gives our pivot that physicality part against the bigger players like Toure, Fernando, Fellaini etc.

He's said in an interview Mikel and Matic are similar players and I believe that if Matic gets injured Mikel will come in.

Also the bit in bold, why would he replace Matic if he doesn't need to? You want your better players playing so if he can keep Matic playing every game theres no need to sub him off. Also if you're protecting a lead why sub one holding midfield on for another ahead of subbing on a holding player for an attacking midfield player? Subbing Mikel on for Matic, instead of Oscar/Willian/Cesc or whoever to protect a lead would one of the stupidest things you could do, imagine Jose did that 'to protect a lead' honestly what would you think? I'd certainly be wondering what was going on in his head.

Questioning his ambition, I kind of agree but he's someone who owes this club a lot. Managers have constantly played him and helped him develop and grow into a better player than what we got when he first arrived despite people constantly criticizing him. Maybe he feels he owes Chelsea or maybe he doesn't mind not being a regular at a huge club but he doesn't kick up a fuss about it either way which I think is worth a bit of respect given the power modern day footballers have over their clubs these days.

Yeah because I clearly said Mikel is responsible for managers being sacked... Sigh...

You have your opinion, I have mine, the guy is a liability - my opinion won't change - he's 'coasting' through life at Chelsea - show me clips of him putting his body on the line - like Terry, Cahil, Azpi, Iva, Matic do week in week out - the 'cock' as I will now refer to him, doesn't, he would rather let players run past him...

I wouldn't disagree that he tries harder for his country- which is exactly my point - I don't give a fuck how skilled the player is, every minute they are on the pitch for Chelsea they need to give 100% - he simply does not do that. And that's why he is a liability - both on and off the pitch, because to ME, that's just not acceptable...

I hope he is moved on in Jan or the Summer and AKE given a chance.

I also agree that if Matic gets injured we are fucked in midfield.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Just one more point:

The reason why Mikel does not play isn't because Jose does not rotate players; Mikel does not play because of the difference in quality between him and Matic, which prevents Jose from rotating in that position. Doesn't Jose rotate in other positions where the quality is similar?

Jose does not rotate: Matic, Fabregas, and Costa. Whenever fit, they play.

Many top teams have better options sitting on the bench.... even if not a lot better or as experienced as Mikel is, certainly hungrier.

[happy_juan 64]

Mikel exiled from starting positions and we are once again dominating the league. Who would have thought?

Stop championing him for not creating a problem about not getting playing time. He knows his level and bargaining power.

[lucio 5,418]

hope he is up for newcastle. i want mikel vs spain performance, if he didn't use up his seasons energy with the backheel assist.

[Yeboii 1,844]

Funny how he was instrumental to my campaign in winning the PL in Football Manager lol

Then PSG bought him for like 30 million pounds

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

[didierforever 7,349]

dear mother of GOD!!!!!

[bluesman2610 1,417]

Had to have made a bet that he would never score in the PL .. only way I see that happening logically lol

funny as hell though

[Styles 9,790]

You guys know what's going down tomorrow, right?

Mikel is going to put on an absolute masterclass in Newcastle. I can feel it.

Quote me and tell me I was wrong after the game. I dare you.

This of course requires him to start and/or feature for a large part of the game. Don't quote me if doesn't, innit.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

dear mother of GOD!!!!!

LOL That was some guy who was badmouthing Mikel before the game last season against Derby and said that he'd his name tattooed on his arse if he scored!

Credit to the guy for actually going through with it. Takes some massive balls!

[iseah100 5,612]

Mikel will score a screamer and be a rock defensively. Could take Matic's place for good tomorrow.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I feel he will have world class performance that every big club will want him in january.

Maybe we should call him Lord Mikel? The second son of gods after Bendtner.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Mourinho on Mikel: "He's good; every time he plays he plays well, Mikel is ready, Ramires is ready so no problem." #CFC

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

I call him the Bus Driver.

[zolayes 14,489]

I call him the Bus Driver.

better named the Brake man

[Fernando 6,585]

Men this guy is slow!!!

[iseah100 5,612]

Hit on the counter twice. Matic is indispensable.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Hit on the counter twice. Matic is indispensable.

It wasn't his fault we got hit on the counter at all. Both goals were preventable and would've been if Cahill wasn't so bad at the back. Mikel had a decent game and stepped up well enough to at least lessen the Matic blow. Can't fault Mikel for anything today, he did well. There are other players we need to look at.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Hit on the counter twice. Matic is indispensable.

They're different players too, on top of what Skipper said. Mikel did well today, he was actually more positive in his nature then we're used to. He was actually trying to make strides forward rather than rest on his laurels (though that was more out of necessity than anything else). We know Mikel's limited ability, but he's not more liable than others for this loss.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Hit on the counter twice. Matic is indispensable.

What exactly did he do wrong on either goal, then?

The funnies thing about people blaming Mikel is that it is predictable from even before the match starts!

He had an very good performance, one of our better players today. Won almost everything in midfield in the first half, kept the ball moving well, and was vital to helping us keep the pressure on in the second half and even played a few excellent long balls into the box.