Mikel John Obi

[The only place to be 11,313]

So? Despite playing in the England U-16/17/19/21 level, he was born in Nigeria after all. Nothing all with deciding to play for his country birth is it? Same thing has happened with a lot of other players. AND had he chosen to play for England, he would still have commitment to England as well. Point is still the same!

It was a cunty point that I made and I did wonder whether or not to make it. I'm simply how important national football is to the modern player.

The larger point is that I wish Capello had picked him for England.

[Hutcho 8,443]

How important national football is to the modern player.

I think you have a point there. As i definitely think that playing for your country isn't seen as high an honour as it once was. Previously playing for your country was the pinnacle... For some it still may be, but overall it isn't to the same level.

[Rmpr 8,977]

First unethical, then immoral? I think both of those are a little hysterical.

Alright, I will have to start from the beginning:

Mikel is a very important player for our squad, who plays at a key position. Chelsea needs him to maintain a reasonable depth at DM to say the least. He will be very missed and will most likely cost us a few points (we haven't the easiest of schedules). Also, we will only have Luiz and Ake to cover for him and both arent prepaired to perform during a full month at such a high level. David Luiz can easily handle strong physical teams, but yellows come easy for him and if we pair Ake or Ramires with Oscar or Lampard against the likes of Stoke and Reading, I fear it wont be very pretty.

Yes, I dont like ACON. For two obivous reasons, it is in the middle of the european season and is biyearly. Nevertheless, I do understand both of those reasons. Africa calendar year ends in December (which makes things easier to the everyday fans and students to follow the competition) and the temperature is way better for playing football at that time of the year (we are talking about Africa here). About it being every 2 years and not 4, it is because they wanted to keep with the tournament`s tradition and format (of giving the winner a place in the World Cup). CAF has all the right arguments (excuses) for doing what they think it is best for their own public. What we also have to take into consideration is that the majority of the population lives a very though life and football is a very happy escape valve. It is vital that the interest in the cup stays very high and that is why they are changing the even numbered years calendar to an odd numbered one, so they dont compete with the FIFA's and UEFA'S event (hence we will have two ACONs in consecutive years). It gets even worse when you realise (just like South Americans) it is basically the only opportunity they have to see their own players, since they all play abroad. Africans are probably the most fanatic football fans, they go abosutely crazy when Brazil (or any other top team) visits their countries. Nice that every other year they have something to look for.

With that in mind, it is pretty easy to see why this "shit" cup is very important and how much it means to the players. Just look at Drogba, he even asked FIFA to let him be loaned to some club so he does not lose his form. Everyone wants to play in a World Cup and to become heroic and respected by their own people. I bet any of us would feel extremely proud and overjoyed if we had the chance to become a national legend. How can anyone criticize or judge it as a wrong decision?

I want to be as respectful as possible, but your opinion about him having to place his team above anything else is very selfish, maybe even stupid. Players always want to serve their national team, it gives them prestigue and gratification and, most importantly, its not their fault they have to play at inconvinient moments. African players have the right to attend their international duties just as any other European has. I honestly dont see how leaving in the middle of the season to fight for his country is a disrespect towards his teammates and coaching staff. No one said a bit about Mata losing preseason and entering a very challenging season with his tank low. Things should not change just because the major leagues around Europe will be affected, they have no business in Africa's Cup of Nation. This is not even your worst argument though…

What deeply irritates me is that you mentioned we (as a club) should not buy players in similar situations. That opinion, in my point of view, is highly unethical. I wouldnt be bothered (and would actually agree) if you said we should analyse that aspect when buying a player or that it is a huge downside of having top African players, but that wasnt what you said. Suggesting it (to ultimately choose between club or nation) to any professional footballer should never ever even cross the mind of a single member of our Board. It is like asking for a parent to choose which child he wants to save. All players must have the chance to be able to participate in both ends, period. Treating Mikel or Moses with prejudice because they chose Nigeria over Chelsea is also immoral. As a fan, there is not much consequence to how we think, but imagine Mikel's feeling if Gourlay said anything similar to what you just said.

In resume, I am not liking the fact we will miss two players that were regularly at the starting eleven and I do wish ACON gets a reformulation so it stops interfering with CFC. However, I really hope none of the above happen, it would be a very sad day, such an atrocity would tarnish our bright history!

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Anyways, you have earned a response (after such long post), but all I had to say is in here, so I wont quote and derail this thread anymore...

[nachikethas 1,154]

mikel you go on and win the cup i will take care of the haters jjj

[Kojo 4,676]

I can't believe so many good members are waisting their posts with a very dumb and selfish opinion (not member, to make it clear).

I know the selfish cunt, I'm meant to be the controversial poster around here!, why is he taking my place?.

AND ON THE MIKEL THREAD OF ALL PLACES, where all my greatest work has been made!.

[The Skipper 20,609]

It is quite hilarious how anyone can criticise a player for wanting to play for their country. Did you criticise Drogba and Essien for it too?

[Spike 12,049]

What's funny is to see a debate based on two players' departure for ACON... When we know in Ligue 1 that some teams have 10 players or so going to the ACON

What do you mean we? I did not know that. The coverage in Australia of Ligue 1 is terrible compared to last season.

[TrippingStep 336]

What do you mean we? I did not know that. The coverage in Australia of Ligue 1 is terrible compared to last season.

Not a very huge loss. Seeing so many teams with poor or average midfielders (holding midfielder the exception), many teams not capable of changing the side of play quickly when a side is crowded. Body checks, studs in ankle of the opposition, it's not pretty.

[Spike 12,049]

For various reasons French teams happens to have a lot of African players in their squads, so there's a lot of internationals in Ligue 1

In 11/12, OGC Nice had 4 Ivoirians, 2 Gabonese, 1 Malian by example. Last season Rennes lost Pitropipa (Burkina), Hadji (Morroco), Mangane (Senegal), Boye (Ghana), Diarra (Mali)...

You've mentioned this before....Clairefontaine...etc.

[different level 1,056]

Is this guy injured for the last couple of games or what? He wasn't featured even on the bench and it's couldn't be because ot Acon, because Moses still hasn't left.

[robdog 2,084]

Is this guy injured for the last couple of games or what? He wasn't featured even on the bench and it's couldn't be because ot Acon, because Moses still hasn't left.

First dude had the 4 match suspension. Then I heard he had a knock as well & had to remain @ Cobham.

[zolayes 14,489]

just a note ...the last time we failed to win with Mikel starting was Dec 1.....

[The only place to be 11,313]

Quite simply I think we missed him last night. I'm not his biggest fan but he's good enough to come on against Southampton and steady the ship. I know I shouldn't be angry at him for being on international duty whilst his club and his teammates are in dire straits, but I'm not a perfect human being by any stretch of the imagination.

[Stats 7,142]

Funny how he gets criticised sometimes but when he is gone for a shot or long period we realise how important he actually is to this Chelsea team. His qualities are unnoticed when he plays by some but when he is not we lack a presence for someone in that DM role that he provides. We are much more vulnerable without him and I can't wait to have him back in the starting 11. One of the most important, unsung heroes here.

[Zola kinda blue 89]

Bullshit. Mikel is a class DM, he does everything you'd want, now hes gets a chance to play verticle passes because there is much more movement in the midfield unlike before. Capoue isn't even as good as Mikel.

Thats just nonsense, he's only good when he doesnt go forward, he cant pass like Luiz or Romeu and thats why Rafa picks them ahead of him.

All his passes are mostly 10 yard jobs, we need defenders to turn defence into attack and he aint it. He is good for some games, but not ones when 10 men are behind the ball and we need a different option to unlock the defence. He keeps shooting shtupid long shots when he cant score.

He's never going to get better and needs competition as he reacts better when he is dropped