Mikel John Obi

[zolayes 14,489]

Mikel is the most overrated player by our fans , you can fuck all you want with statistics showing that Mikel is a very good DM , but he isn't , he is simply not even among the best in the EPL , and btw yes Scott Parker is definitely better than Mikel in terms of defensive and offensive contributions.

Along the pages i have seen statistics comparing between Mikel and Romeu , where it mentioned that Mikel's passing accuracy is 90% , while Romue was at 81% but Romue's passes where much much more meaningful and effective than all of Mikel' passes.

It showed that Mikel had a better successful tackles % but the truth is while Mikel enjoys walking slowly to opponents who usually pass the ball before he reaches them , Romue and the likes of Parker usually harass their oppositions forcing them to make a bad pass or at least a back pass If they didn't get the ball , So basically the case for Mikel is less number of tackles= less number of errors , less no. of forward passes= less no. of misplaced passes ..... etc.

Right now , it's pretty obvious that Mikel is our 1st choice DM but for a defensive team that might work , if Di Matteo really wants to play attacking football we can wave Mikel good-bye.

yes ignore statistics and use your HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE opinion as fact ... No thanks I will take the fact that he has been used by

all our managers including JM

[mtowle182 79]

His performance in the CL final was sublime though

[Amblève. 4,995]

Mikel is the most overrated player by our fans , you can fuck all you want with statistics showing that Mikel is a very good DM , but he isn't , he is simply not even among the best in the EPL , and btw yes Scott Parker is definitely better than Mikel in terms of defensive and offensive contributions.

If anything Mikel's the most UNDERRATED player on the Chelsea roster.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Mikel is the most overrated player by our fans , you can fuck all you want with statistics showing that Mikel is a very good DM ,

Stats actually don't show that Mikel is that superior, hardly anyone uses stats to depict how good Mikel is. People use their own opinion. It's not a surprise that Mikel has continued to be a mainstay in midfield regardless of what manager we've had. Are you saying that all of these world class manager couldn't see that Mikel is shit? Exactly.

Mikel is the metronome of the team, the link between defence and midfield. He isn't flashy, and that's why many people don't appreciate what he actually does for the team.

Along the pages i have seen statistics comparing between Mikel and Romeu , where it mentioned that Mikel's passing accuracy is 90% , while Romue was at 81% but Romue's passes where much much more meaningful and effective than all of Mikel' passes.

Have you ever sat and considered to think that maybe the managers instruct Mikel to hold up play? To hold on to the ball whilst the team organises itself? To be the outlet of the team when there are no options in attack? There are so many misconceptions about Mikel.

It showed that Mikel had a better successful tackles % but the truth is while Mikel enjoys walking slowly to opponents who usually pass the ball before he reaches them Romue and the likes of Parker usually harass their oppositions forcing them to make a bad pass or at least a back pass If they didn't get the ball ,

Bingo. That exactly explains the general misconception about Mikel. People expect him to be the classic, run-around-closing-down-like-a-headless-chicken ball winning DM. That's not his role. Surely by now people should know that Mikel is in the team as a shield to the back four, an outlet to the midfield and defence, someone who is essential in keeping the shape of the side and the third centreback.

What I mean about Mikel being the third centre back is that he allows the likes of Ashley Cole, Bosingwa (seasons he was here with us), Ivanovic etc. to bomb forward. Has no one noticed that when these bomb forward, Mikel drops back in between the two CB? It provides cover for the team, an extra body against a potential counter attacks, and again, an outlet to the team when we win the ball back in defence. Mikel is vital in keeping the team ticking. Again, it's not a coincidence he kept getting picked by every manager we've had.

Right now , it's pretty obvious that Mikel is our 1st choice DM but for a defensive team that might work , if Di Matteo really wants to play attacking football we can wave Mikel good-bye.

Right. So, Bayern Munich in a CL final, renowned for their attacking football, had a player like Tiote or Parker in their XI right?

Barcelona, Man City, Man Utd all have players like them two starting week in week out do they?

The fact is, many here think there's only one way to play the DM role. There's many different types, and many are confusing your TRADITIONAL ball winning DM with Mikel's role, which points more towards him being the holding man in our midfield. None in the CFC squad are better than Mikel at the holding role. Few are in the PL.

Mikel's strengths consists of good concentration, accurate passing, good anticipation, ball retention and composure. All which are essential attributes for the holding role.

Why haven't we been linked with a DM this season? Because there are no problems in that department. And our board and managerial staff clearly, and gladly see that.

If Mikel was suspended for that CL final, we would've lost. That's my honest opinion, and that's how highly I rate him.

Mikel is vital to our future style of play, not a ball winning DM who runs around closing down opposition players. That would cause us to lose our shape, become more suspect to a counter attack, and lose the safe haven of knowing there's always an option to pass back to if things don't work out in attack.

Sorry for the essay but it really grinds my gears when people speak about Mikel like he's some sort of irrelevant League 2 footballer.

Besides, we've already a player who can adapt to that ball winning midfielder role in our squad - Ramires.

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

I never thought the player that would divide opinion among Chelsea fans would be Mikel. I'm on the side for Mikel. After Cech and Terry, he's first name on the team sheet for me.

[zolayes 14,489]

excellent analysis skipper but don't expect to convince his critics. They KNOW he is shite ,,,,,,FACT

[HRiver 1,512]

I like Mikel, he does really well under pressure, and I'm satisfied with his performances most of the time. His consistency over the years has proved his quality, and imo he deserves to be a first team player next season. And his performance in Munich was nothing short of excellent.

[Kojo 4,676]

His performance in the CL final was sublime though

Bosingwa had a good final.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,494]

I like Mikel, he does really well under pressure, and I'm satisfied with his performances most of the time. His consistency over the years has proved his quality, and imo he deserves to be a first team player next season. And his performance in Munich was nothing short of excellent.

don`t worry mate he`s here for years to come. the coaches,his team mates and punters through the turnstiles are happy with him. there`s no reason for him not to be one of the first names on the team sheet. after Cech he`s the player we would most miss if he had a long term injury.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Bosingwa had a good final.

Bosingwa wasn't one of the key men though. Mikel was.

Everyone had a good final but only a few were truly excellent. Mikel was part of the excellent bracket.

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

Mikel had a brilliant CL final but he isn't consistent week in and week out. In fact apart from the CL final, the Barca games and maybe the Man City game I can't recall any other games where he was remotely good.

[Blue Armour 4,280]

I think opinions will always be divided on Mikel. Mikel is very good at what he does (ball retention, quick accurate passes) and is no doubt very good for the squad, but I can understand the sentiments of those who seek more from a DM.

However the fact is, quality DM's with all-round ability like an Edgar Davids or a fully-fit Michael Essien are a rare commodity.

[The Skipper 20,593]

I think opinions will always be divided on Mikel. Mikel is very good at what he does (ball retention, quick accurate passes) and is no doubt very good for the squad, but I can understand the sentiments of those who seek more from a DM.

However the fact is, quality DM's with all-round ability like an Edgar Davids or a fully-fit Michael Essien are a rare commodity.

Those two aren't even DM's though. They're better placed as the team's engine.

Essien's best position wasn't as a DM. It was when he was allowed to roam around the field as a B2B midfielder causing havoc.

Same with Davids. Davids only reincarnated himself later into a more deeper player as he lost his pace.

I wouldn't call Essien a true DM. He was good there as he has some attributes that complement it, but he was shackled as well. With Mikel that is not a problem as he naturally compliments the holding position.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Mikel had a brilliant CL final but he isn't consistent week in and week out.

That's the biggest part of his game Mikel can improve on - consistent world class performances. If he does that I'm sure the debate would be put to bed. He's only 25, so it's natural. He still has ages to rack up experience and become more consistent. Wouldn't be surprised if Mikel was still playing for CFC in 10 years due to the nature of his game.

[sleazyB 58]

Mikel is a good player, and bitch and complain all you want, but he will be an important piece of our squad for years to come. He just believe he needs a better partner in the pivot, someone who can do a little defense but mainly control the ball and the tempo of the game.

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

Imagine if we'd kept Ballack in 2010, him and Mikel in the double pivot would work 100 percent. FACT. Don't care how old Ballack would be, he has an amazing range of passing and is great at defending as well as attacking. Lampard is far too forward thinking for the double pivot.

[francozola 2,040]

Jury is still out for me. He did amazingly well last season but we were playing a different style of football than what we will presumably (and hopefully) be playing from now onwards.

Anyway like someone mentioned, this season will truly be sink or swim for him in my opinion

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Mikel had a bad run of games under AVB but has been a solid player for us for years. Is he an elite defensive midfielder? I don't think so, but he's very good and certainly good enough to start regular for Chelsea. Defensive midfield is one of the hardest positions to judge in football because they are more about being a link and covering other people than being proactive themselves. Mikel does what he needs to do which is make short, accurate passes and cover for defenders and he does it well.