Mikel John Obi

[Rhino's Skin 972]

havent actually seen anything worthwhile believing on whether he is staying or not.

Even the BBC sport article which seems to be the main source of his move being blocked and wont be sold is hypocritical by suggesting that a transfer has been blocked then a paragraph or so later suggest that Chelsea have a put minimum price tag on his head

[illmatic 901]

I don't see the problem in that he continue. Good squad player, doesn't give problems if he don't play. We should to understand, that we have the better player of the world in the DM position, and also, he is a heart of the team, and in normal conditions, He will play the 90% of the matches, so you can't bring a TOP player for play only the other 10%. Is not money profitable, and also, the player don't will accept. And is for that, that Mou likes Mikel, is a player that is enough for this another 10% and also don't say a word o have a bad attitude if should be on the bench the big part of the season.

[Unionjack 7,531]

I just dont understand how people are content to keep a lad that doesnt always do the job which we pay him a lot of money to do.

He is basically paid to shut the game out when Mou gets shakey when we are leading by a goal. We have seen that this does not always work. So thats either Mous tactics or the players on the pitch not doing their jobs.

Im not a JOM hater hes had some good games with us. BUT I do think that IF we are truly serious and commited to doing summet in Europ as well as a CONTINUOUS threat in the PL we need to start cutting some of the ones we should be upgrading.

We arent going to be able to sell him easy. Its not his transfer fee its supposedly his £5mill wage and because its not going to be a top club looking at him they cant afford his wages.

[wilander 35]

Mikel is a good player, however, he is helpless to current Chelsea!

[LAM09 6,744]

Is he going to Turkey, or is it just another rumour?

[BlueLyon 9,359]

In today market, he is worth at least 25m.

[TheIceMan 596]

In today market, he is worth at least 25m.

I'll be happy with 25p.

[robsblubot 3,502]

He's worth as much as what someone is willing to pay him and offer for him. Right now, that is less than his current valuation (current wages/status).

Agree with someone who wrote that the top clubs won't come for him, which means he will prob retire at chelsea - the smaller sides will have trouble matching his wages. Esp considering he's a DM after all.

I'd not be as displeased by relying on a poor player like Mikel if we had a large squad with a lot of options, because right now I know that whenever mikel plays, there are certainly things that will NOT happen: forget about goals and assists, he cannot even hit long balls which is pretty sad for a DM.

How can we give a chance to youngsters when we have 28yo backup players who offer as little as mikel does?

[Tomo 21,733]

He's worth as much as what someone is willing to pay him and offer for him. Right now, that is less than his current valuation (current wages/status).

Agree with someone who wrote that the top clubs won't come for him, which means he will prob retire at chelsea - the smaller sides will have trouble matching his wages. Esp considering he's a DM after all.

I'd not be as displeased by relying on a poor player like Mikel if we had a large squad with a lot of options, because right now I know that whenever mikel plays, there are certainly things that will NOT happen: forget about goals and assists, he cannot even hit long balls which is pretty sad for a DM.

How can we give a chance to youngsters when we have 28yo backup players who offer as little as mikel does?

If we replace Mikel it has to be with another expierence player, letting a player who for all his flaws has played and shone in numerous big game's and cup finals for an youngster who has barely played any first team football ever is footballing suicide.

Furthermore I can hardly see him retiring at Chelsea, chances are he won't get a new deal when it runs out

[robsblubot 3,502]

If we replace Mikel it has to be with another expierence player, letting a player who for all his flaws has played and shone in numerous big game's and cup finals for an youngster who has barely played any first team football ever is footballing suicide.

Furthermore I can hardly see him retiring at Chelsea, chances are he won't get a new deal when it runs out

fair enough on the 'retiring' part, but we can call it 'retiring from the elite' then.

Matter of opinion and we go back to the "making no mistakes" vs "lacking ability" discussion. Same with Cahill who makes few mistakes, but lacks in a number of areas (pace and technique). I see Mikel similarly, as a player who makes few mistakes, but his lack of quality is a mistake in itself. It's a bad comparison since Cahill is far more adequate than Mikel.

Besides, back to my point, I want a better player than Mikel - being more expensive is really irrelevant to me (so is age). Give the squad a couple more options and the best plays! Whoever wants a spot has to show in training.

I know what Jose says about Mikel, but I believe more in how Jose used (or not used) Mikel - not much and not often. Overplayed Matic was also one of the players whose form suffered by the end of the season. So, Mikel is not a fit replacement for Matic, at least not in Jose's mind - well go get one then!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

he cannot even hit long balls which is pretty sad for a DM.

That's just out right false. Him and Matic are very similar in that area. A few quick stats from Squawka to prove that: Mikel plays a successful long ball every 34 minutes with a 58.3% accuracy while Matic plays a successful long ball every 26.5 minutes with a 64.5% accuracy.

[didierforever 7,349]

i just dont understand why he gets so much stick.

[Styles 9,790]

Mikel haters are the WOAT.

[quickpassnmove 924]

i just dont understand why he gets so much stick.

I don't understand someone who watches football and can't compare a player like Mikel to top centre mids from clubs of the past and present, all over Europe. Doesn't stack up, period --unless you want the player who rarely creates any impetus on transition and overall possession.

[didierforever 7,349]

I don't understand someone who watches football and can't compare a player like Mikel to top centre mids from clubs of the past and present, all over Europe. Doesn't stack up, period --unless you want the player who rarely creates any impetus on transition and overall possession.

no one is saying he is a "top center mid". no one is exaggerating his role. he is a good 2nd DM, 4th CM and has a good role in the squad. he has his strengths like slowing the game down, being defensively good and providing safety to the back 4.

and hence, i dont understand the hate.

[robsblubot 3,502]

That's just out right false. Him and Matic are very similar in that area. A few quick stats from Squawka to prove that: Mikel plays a successful long ball every 34 minutes with a 58.3% accuracy while Matic plays a successful long ball every 26.5 minutes with a 64.5% accuracy.

Well we clearly have a very different view of what a successful long ball is, but I will just point out the obvious that such stats lack qualification.

I believe my very own eyes, thank you.

Btw did you just compare Mikel to Matic?! As far as I am concerned Matic is the superior player in every aspect of the game. And there lies the problem.

[Parky 739]

You know why he is so frustrating. IMO he had the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the world. He has the physical and technique attributes but lacked the mentality. Apparently he was one of the most promising attacking young players before ManU and our club clashed heads to sign him. Maybe Jose tried too hard to turn him into the new 'Makelele' and stalled his growth.

[The Skipper 20,593]

http://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33477349