Mikel John Obi

[robsblubot 3,502]

Wait, I'm not saying that Mikel single-handedly dominated the midfield! The point that Barbara made was about the team as whole and my response was about the team as whole. Meaning, that the dominance of the team was evident in the numbers of Mikel and Matic. It wasn't down just to them, nor obviously was it the case that they had nothing to do with it. Both contributed a lot to that midfield dominance but it was due to a team effort. I hope I cleared that one up.

Sorry, but "created nothing up front" is simply factually in correct. Aside from the goals, Hazard created 3-4 very dangerous chances in the first half, then there are obviously the two Costa chances, as well as a couple of chance for each of Willian and Schurrle where they just made the wrong final decision. In the first half in particular we really should have scored at least 1 or 2 more. All this and we were in front from practically the start. So, no, I think it's very objective to say that we did not have any trouble creating chances.

And Stoke are NOT a poor side. Especially not at home. They might not play silky passing football, but they are brutally effective. I think the stat that I heard on the TV yesterday was that they have only last twice in the Britania to the top 4 teams in the past 3 seasons. Just a few days ago they completely destroyed Arsenal there. Every neutral and all the pundits hailed the performance, even the usual pessimists on here miraculously had no complaints. Must we really create imaginary criticism and belittle what was an excellent away performance just because Mikel was playing?

Fair enough on the original point you made - my misunderstanding.

My point is that there is no Costa run or Fabregas goal had we not been ahead, and Stoke chasing. They opened up a bit which allowed us to counter them. Again thanks to John Terry brilliant kick-off header.

Disagree on Stoke. They are very poor this season as the standings show. Toughest match of late was Newcastle and we lost that one.

I just want to be cautious here as I still think City has better subs for when their key players are unavailable. We've been lucky so far (yes healthy squad), but we will be playing very often from now on.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Fair enough on the original point you made - my misunderstanding.

My point is that there is no Costa run or Fabregas goal had we not been ahead and Stoke chasing. They opened up a bit which allowed us to counter them. Again thanks to John Terry brilliant kick-off header.

Disagree on Stoke. They are very poor this season as the standings show. Toughest match of late was Newcastle and we lost that one.

I just want to be cautious here as I still think City has better subs for when their key players are unavailable. We've been lucky so far, but we will be playing very often from now on.

If JT had not scored, Mikel would have got a 40-yard screamer into the top corner a few minutes later!

There is no point for hypotheticals in a match like that. We only played a minute and a half before we scored and in that small time we actually did create a chance as the corner from which the goal came from was made after an excellent build-up and some very good football. So there is literally nothing to suggest that we would have struggled to create had we not scored early.

I think "lucky" would be discrediting the amazing work of our medical team (if I did understand correctly that you meant the lack of injuries). That team has done exceptionally well in the past three seasons and deserve a lot of credit.

But of course there is an element of luck. City are very much in the title race and I was saying so when we were 8 points ahead. They have the better squad, but we have the better manager who is capable of making most of the players over-perform. City can of course win the title, but we are still favorites imo, even if we do suffer a few injuries because 1) we are capable of performing without any one player and 2) we are top of the table with the tougher half of the season gone. We play all the typically big teams, except for Arsenal, at the Bridge in the second half of the season.

Personally, I'm optimistic

[Styles 9,790]

That's not the point (missing Oscar) but having him and Willian limited us creatively, if you read my posts on the subject for this match was to have Schurrle, but he disrupts our style.

My main complaint is general. I said more than once Mikel did well on what he's good. We shouldn't have played Willian (nor Oscar).

Schurrle wasn't missed yesterday either - not once during the game did I think 'we could really do with Schurrle here'.

I don't think Willian and Mikel limited us creatively us when we scored 2 and should have had even more. And we still had enough match-winners in Hazard, Fabregas and Costa.

Schurrle can't keep possession well enough (something which Willian does really well) and defensively he isn't as strong as Willian either.

But we've playing Mikel for the last what? Four matches? We need someone who has more to offer than defensive skills to replace Cesc in the pivot

A freer Fabregas makes up for all of Mikel's shortcomings. I don't disagree that we need somebody who offers more than just defence in the pivot but until we go out and buy that player Mikel is the best solution. I also think he's being integrated into the team now in preparation for the Champions League.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

Mikel had a solid game and his inclusion made a lot of sense in an away game at Stoke.

I don't think we missed Oscar at all, not even a little bit.

And that's another part of our problem that, sooner or later, is going to have to be addressed.

[Styles 9,790]

And that's another part of our problem that, sooner or later, is going to have to be addressed.

Ultimately, I think Oscar is more of a squad player than most are willing to accept.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

Ultimately, I think Oscar is more of a squad player than most are willing to accept.

Someone posted recently to argue that we need quality backups in the AM positions. My own view is that, Hazard apart, we already have plenty of backup quality players in that area. What we need is more AMs of the appropriate quality to be starting for Chelsea.

[TheWiz 109]

I've no idea what Mourinho plans for next season but I think, if i were him I'd keep Mikel, b/c I really like the Double-DM-pairing of Matic/Mikel if a more defensive approach is required against specific Teams.

I think Mikel is a very good Player and he did a great Job last few games he played, especially vs Liverpool. He was very concentrated, worked for the Team and his Stats (defensively) were outstanding.

I do doubt, however, he'll be satisfied for long being in the starting lineup just every 2nd or 3rd match.

It's December now, and finally Mourinho listens to my Advice.

Better late than never!

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

With Matic - Mikel combination against Newcastle away, I believe we could get some points from that place. That's how confident I am.

[supporter 3,088]

In Monday's game we play with Mikel - Fabregas - Matic. I think Fabregas played in a similar position to that of Pirlo in Juventus, where they play Vidal - Pirlo - Pogba. Put two defensive midfielders (although Matic is a total player) and Mikel and Matic can help to Fabregas to move more freely in the field and can go up and down (box to box) without much pressure. This does not remove Oscar because Oscar has worked hard to improve defensively and could take the place of William in certain games. The usual equipment is Matic - Fabregas - Oscar and Hazard - Costa - William, but the option to put Mikel can help to get Fabregas play with more freedom in the pitch for complicated games off the bridge. I think so ....

[Cescy 40]

He's a useful player, but mainly in games where we're going for a low block and counterattacking style.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

A freer Fabregas makes up for all of Mikel's shortcomings. I don't disagree that we need somebody who offers more than just defence in the pivot but until we go out and buy that player Mikel is the best solution. I also think he's being integrated into the team now in preparation for the Champions League.

I'm not Mikel's biggest fan and I don't like the lack of creativity in the centre when we play two DMs, but I agree. I'm pretty sure if Willian and Oscar were in Cesc's place against Stoke, they wouldn't have made the run into the box to get that pass from Eden. Fabregas isn't the fastest player around, but he has much better attacking instincts than Willian and Oscar(probably playing as a false 9 helped too). Out of our AMs, Hazard has the best link-up play and understanding with Fabregas, and he is the player Cesc seeks out the most(I think Fabregas to Hazard is our most frequent pass combination). We don't really miss much when we play Mikel in the pivot instead of Oscar in the hole.

But I want Jose to try Hazard-Fabregas-Oscar. Oscar will offer more in attack than Willian, and defensively he isn't worse than him.

[Styles 9,790]

I'm not Mikel's biggest fan and I don't like the lack of creativity in the centre when we play two DMs, but I agree. I'm pretty sure if Willian and Oscar were in Cesc's place against Stoke, they wouldn't have made the run into the box to get that pass from Eden. Fabregas isn't the fastest player around, but he has much better attacking instincts than Willian and Oscar(probably playing as a false 9 helped too). Out of our AMs, Hazard has the best link-up play and understanding with Fabregas, and he is the player Cesc seeks out the most(I think Fabregas to Hazard is our most frequent pass combination). We don't really miss much when we play Mikel in the pivot instead of Oscar in the hole.

Yeah, Fabregas and Hazard almsot always exchange the most passes each game; they really do have a brilliant understanding.

And another thing that's being overlooked is that Mikel also allows Matic to be more progressive and break forward with the ball (something he doesn't tend to do much with Fabregas alongside him).

But I want Jose to try Hazard-Fabregas-Oscar. Oscar will offer more in attack than Willian, and defensively he isn't worse than him.

I think he is, and especially on the wing. And that's not a slight against Oscar who is a real hardworker himself, it just says more about Willian who is an absolute beast defensively.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

I think he is, and especially on the wing. And that's not a slight against Oscar who is a real hardworker himself, it just says more about Willian who is an absolute beast defensively.

Maybe, but I'm not sure. I think we need to see more of Oscar on the wing to judge. The only thing I would be a bit concerned about is the fact that he's slower than Willian. Though considering how often Willian fucks up counter-attacks with his decision-making, it isn't that important. IMO, Oscar is a smarter player than Willian: he's slower but he reads the game better, which allows him to track back and defend effectively. I think it's worth a try.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

He's a useful player, but mainly in games where we're going for a low block and counterattacking style.

Roll back 12 months and many people were arguing that Mikel was the ideal man to occupy the main DM role. Enter Matic and virtually no one is arguing that any more. The arrival of someone who really is good at the job has pretty much ended the made up case for Mikel. Now there is a case being made for Mikel to fulfil another function. Well that case too will continue to be argued until we find an alternative who is genuinely good at the second DM role. We are not Leicester City, we should not be making do. If we need someone better, and we do, then let's go and get him.

Perhaps Mikel's real contribution at the moment is as a place holder for Loftus-Cheek. I've been an RLC doubter; not of his talent, that's undeniable, but of how he applies it. If he gets his act together then he will perhaps earn promotion to the top squad. If Jose believes in RLC then he could well think it's better to have a stop-gap player occupying the place earmarked for Ruben, rather than buy an off the shelf player who will block Ruben's path. Ruben is not a proper DM of course but there are good options available if someone with his attributes replaces Mikel in the squad. Just a speculation.

[robdog 2,084]

Perhaps Mikel's real contribution at the moment is as a place holder for Loftus-Cheek. I've been an RLC doubter; not of his talent, that's undeniable, but of how he applies it. If he gets his act together then he will perhaps earn promotion to the top squad.

IMHO Ake, Chalobah & Baker can also play alongside Matic. Mikel is more seasoned & been in more battles than the ones I have mentioned. One thing I like about RLC is the fact he is strong. I know most people don't remember, but my first time really noticing RLC was when CFC played Man City in St. Louis. RLC had to battle Yaya & Barry. I thought he held his own in that match & couldn't wait for him to get more opportunities. I don't know how Jose Ranks those guys, but Mikel is up first then it's one of those guys.

[Oscar 441]

Mikel starting a few games over ramires really confirms that ramires is still hurt and not fully fit.

No way would Jose start mikel over ramires, unless he wasn't fit.

[didierforever 7,349]

decent performance. cycled the ball really well.

[DH1988 1,273]

Our problem wasn't central midfield today him and Matic snuffed everything today and Mikel let's Matic drive forward a bit more.

Good game.