Mikel John Obi

[robsblubot 3,527]

Even if you are not fond of a player you should be big enough to give credit when it is deserved. He was not on Matic level tonight but he was good and did his job well. But you are saying "he is our worst player on the pitch by a fair margin". Jesus Christ! Some people. He was very solid. The whole team put in a good performance but Willian for instance did not have a better game than Mikel.

That's exactly my problem with him: he's mediocre. Now if mediocrity is what you look for in a chelsea's rotation? player, then I have to disagree.

Let me put it this way. Every other player in our starting XI would have been Stoke's key player (or at least very close to key in Cahill's case), except Mikel. What Mikel did today, nothing special really, N'Zonzi could've done it the same or better (with more energy).

You can disagree with what I just wrote, and that's fine, but don't ask me to be big, to be nice, which sounds weird to be honest. I'm not a judge, and this is my pastime. We are talking about millionaires who don't give a crap about any of us; getting a hash critique from a random poster is included in their fat paycheck.

[Tomo 21,733]

For those that remember, Mikel in the teenage tournaments, essentially a CM/AM(ish) rather than a DM.

Cringed when Jose attempted to mold him into the Makalele.

Talent waste.

Actually it was under Scolari he started playing there in a full time basis.

[Tomo 21,733]

Of course, that must be the only possible explanation.

--

Now I believe in what he said; disagreeing or not wasn' the point as I dislike Mikel as a footballer. I find extremely naive to believe anything Jose says to the press, so I tend to pay attention to what he does, not what he says. Mikel starting today makes me believe Jose really thinks what he said... there is another explanation, but we will only find out in a month or so.

He also said, that "he and Fabregas knew very well what his true position is back then" which in the contest at the time, was CM. So, things change, and his positions to the press are, let's say, inconsistent.

Having a player like Mikel on the squad means youngsters will never play. I really can't agree with that.

So we ditch an experienced player who has played in multiple high pressure games at the highest level and instead throw in an kid?

[robsblubot 3,527]

So we ditch an experienced player who has played in multiple high pressure games at the highest level and instead throw in an kid?

Yes, that's called developing youngsters...

Come on...our third striker is 27yo, so yes, the youngsters will never play.

[Tomo 21,733]

Yes, that's called developing youngsters...

Come on...our third striker is 27yo, so yes, the youngsters will never play.

There's a difference between developing youngsters and chucking away vital expierence for unproven kids.

We tried that after the double, and it took us years to recover from that major error which in my opinion was an even bigger mistake than signing Torres.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Mikel

[OhForAGreavsie 5,895]

For those that remember, Mikel in the teenage tournaments, essentially a CM/AM(ish) rather than a DM.

Cringed when Jose attempted to mold him into the Makalele.

Talent waste.

Can't agree DH. If he was good enough as an AM/CM there would have been no need, and therefore no attempt, to mould him. He was not, and is not, good enough however.

[didierforever 7,349]

Now because mikel is actually playing well, it seems his haters are at a loss of argument, so the latest argument os that mikel alone is stopping pur youth from developing. There was TOPTB who used to say that the sole reason mikel was here was cos he had to get an english citizenship or something. Arguments just get weirder and weirder.

Mikel is a very good squad player. And he is showing why? Tactically he gives us something very different from rambo and cesc. Moreover he is an experienced player who has the know how of the highest stage can not be and will not be replaced by a chalobah (who can't get a minute at burnley) or ake. Even if he leaves we will get a proper replacement like khedira or either of mvg/romeu to replace him.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I think we will see more Mikel - Matic in the future. It works!

Maybe not at home against West Ham, as it needs some rotation. But against Soton it could be.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

I thought he showed yesterday yet again that he's an horrible footballer. Can't stand him, his passing, his stupid fouls he gives... yeah he stopped a couple of stoke's attacks, but a lot of times he couldn't and left it for Matic, more often than not he loses his fights for a ball against another player. It's like he's big but also so weak.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

I thought he showed yesterday yet again that he's an horrible footballer. Can't stand him, his passing, his stupid fouls he gives... yeah he stopped a couple of stoke's attacks, but a lot of times he couldn't and left it for Matic, more often than not he loses his fights for a ball against another player. It's like he's big but also so weak.

We all know he's not a great passer of the ball so there is no point bringing that up again. The only reason why he plays is because he's supposed to do the dirty work for us. Give this man some respect at least, he's been at the club for almost a decade so surely there is a reason why he is still here. I believe for these tough fixtures, Mikel is the best option to partner Matic in the pivot.

He does what his manger instructs him to do. He doesn't always get to start but for that he does not bicker. He will be an important of the team this season so there is no point singling him out almost every time he plays.

[didierforever 7,349]

I thought he showed yesterday yet again that he's an horrible footballer. Can't stand him, his passing, his stupid fouls he gives... yeah he stopped a couple of stoke's attacks, but a lot of times he couldn't and left it for Matic, more often than not he loses his fights for a ball against another player. It's like he's big but also so weak.

hahhaha... LOL

[lionsden 4,689]

The "best player" returns to his rightful place in a club like Chelsea: the bench.

Believe in what Jose does, not what he says.

There is no hate from me. I think he's a shitty player, especially for a top club. That has nothing to do with hate, which honestly sounds like rhetoric to me. I don't "like" the players I consider good, and I don't "dislike" the players I deem insufficient. I don't know them and they really don't mean anything to me - the same way i don't mean anything to them.

Disagree again, a player who accepts a minor role is deadweight. A footballer without ambition doesn't belong at this level.

If he has been the "best" player like he said, then Mikel will also play when all others are available, not to fill a gap. In my dictionary, the word "best" means better than the others...

You often respond without actually taking the time to understand what has been written, so you end up answering a different point altogether.

in short, if he starts today then Jose was truthful. I will disagree with Jose, but agree that he is consistent. My point was that he isn't though, and that he is playing the press.

Phildriver is that you

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

And like Oscar treatment, we won't be satisfied unless he score hattrick every match.

[TheOneChan95 225]

As always, so much hate!

I do think he was the best payer against Newcastle along with Didier and so did a lot of people, including, obviously, Jose. Obviously we have better options than him in that position in the team and so he is not going to be more than a squad player, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he was excellent in that game and has overall done good in the last 4 matches for us.

You, and everyone, should be absolutely delighted that we have squad players who are willing to accept minor roles, cause no trouble about it and still train hard everyday, and then come up with good performances when called upon in the team. That's practically every manager's dream!

My sentiments exactly. As much as I think Matic is so much better, I would not want to just throw Mikel away precisely because of this. It's pretty much the same with Schurrle too. The ability to play different cards based on the situation is a fantastic situation for any manager.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Ok - here goes - Mikels last few performances have been very good and much more than I ever expected.

I don't think we should use him all of the time - I prefer Matic/Fab/Oscar

But, credit where it is due. he has stepped up in the last few games, long may it continue

[DH1988 1,304]

Can't agree DH. If he was good enough as an AM/CM there would have been no need, and therefore no attempt, to mould him. He was not, and is not, good enough however.

Each to their own matey, unfortunately we will never know if he was good enough and thats my point/sad thing. We all know the Mikel to be simple, safe and a good squad member, I do not think he's ever upset the apple cart as it were and he's a mainstay in the squad, has the odd good game, has the odd bad game but when he was young, he was a prospect further up the field, just that though, a prospect.

I know its lower opposition as it were but Nigeria Mikel is a glimpse of what he had instead of sitting back at Chelsea, getting the ball and pass mastering the art of side ways 5 yard balls.

[lucio 5,418]

maybe he plays vs west ham as well. to combat their giant midfielder. (the anderlecht player)