Mikel John Obi

[Miguelito 459]

Great logic that, so just because he's been around when our team was world class that means he is world class, just because of that top comment I'm not even going to bother reading the rest.

That's fine that you don't read the rest, I just stated the fact that he has been an important member of the team in the time we won a lot a trophies disproves that you said if he is an important player in the future we won't win anything. That logic is what doesn't make sense to me

[The Skipper 20,609]

Thats because we don't have any DM players

What's Mikel then?

[DDA 9,929]

What's Mikel then?

I meant to say other than. Mikel isn't good enough. You could say Rami is a DM but he is far more useful to us as an attacking threat. We need to bring in a proper full blooded tackler who can pass.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I meant to say other than. Mikel isn't good enough. You could say Rami is a DM but he is far more useful to us as an attacking threat. We need to bring in a proper full blooded tackler who can pass.

I suggest you look in the 80s and 90s because those types of DMs no longer exist. The game has changed. You can't have Roy Keans in your team any more because first the game is no longer that physical and second because team systems and player movement has completely changed. Nowadays if a defensive player goes to ground and does not get the ball, you're in deep trouble. An example off the top of my head is Newcastle's second goal against us this season when JT went to ground needlessly and we went from relatively having things under control to conceding an easy goal in seconds.

That's why the first thing academies teach kids about defending now is "Don't go to ground. Don't commit yourself to the tackle unless absolutely necessary". There's a quote for Xabi Alonso who's one of the best in the world at what he does where he says tackling is not something you aim to do, but rather something you sometimes have to resort to.

Bottom line is, all the good DMs today are the ones who know how to close down passing angles, tighten spaces and force the error.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

We have such player in Ramires

Yes and Mikel-Rambo is working pretty fine...

[English Freak 456]

In a game where opponent completely commands the game (bayern-juve), even someone like Vidal does little to change anything. He was fighting hard (and put some good shots), but his passing was bad and positioning. Could do little to stop bayern attack.

In such games, someone like Mikel is better option If you ask me. He stays back and marks opponents not to pass through. Its question of debate cuz he cant deliver attacking options like Vidal, but in our case we have other players who attack. Still it would be nice to have some version of fighting DM to rotate with Mikel in some games (specialy against weaker sides where Mikel lacks motivation)...

I think Chalobah could rotate with Mikel initially...and once he understands the Chelsea tactical system, he might be able to become our starting DM.

[DDA 9,929]

I suggest you look in the 80s and 90s because those types of DMs no longer exist. The game has changed. You can't have Roy Keans in your team any more because first the game is no longer that physical and second because team systems and player movement has completely changed. Nowadays if a defensive player goes to ground and does not get the ball, you're in deep trouble. An example off the top of my head is Newcastle's second goal against us this season when JT went to ground needlessly and we went from relatively having things under control to conceding an easy goal in seconds.

That's why the first thing academies teach kids about defending now is "Don't go to ground. Don't commit yourself to the tackle unless absolutely necessary". There's a quote for Xabi Alonso who's one of the best in the world at what he does where he says tackling is not something you aim to do, but rather something you sometimes have to resort to.

Bottom line is, all the good DMs today are the ones who know how to close down passing angles, tighten spaces and force the error.

Ok fair point but you really feel Mikel does this well? I don't, players breeze past him like he is a statue far too often. His passing game is not even that good either. Maybe you can't make full blooded tackles anymore but just look at the goal we conceded against Juve when Mikel gave the ball away and then just half heartedly strolled towards the player with the ball. This kind of feable marking and attempt to win the ball back is seen in Mikels game far too often for my liking. Plus you can tackle without having to slide or go to ground, you jockey then use the x button.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Ok fair point but you really feel Mikel does this well? I don't, players breeze past him like he is a statue far too often. His passing game is not even that good either. Maybe you can't make full blooded tackles anymore but just look at the goal we conceded against Juve when Mikel gave the ball away and then just half heartedly strolled towards the player with the ball. This kind of feable marking and attempt to win the ball back is seen in Mikels game far too often for my liking. Plus you can tackle without having to slide or go to ground, you jockey then use the x button.

He's a bit slow to react at times, and his mobility off the ball is not the best, I'll be the first to admit that. But I do think he defends well enough because he makes up for that with his physical abilities, tactical awareness and more importantly discipline. He's not a ball winning DM (this was an absurd concept back in the 90s) but what he does is close passing angles, stays on his feet to force the error. Take the last game vs United for instance, there were three incidents in the first half when Cole was out of position and Nani had the ball running down the right flank on the counter. Mikel just stayed with him and closed all passing angles. Nani ended giving it back to our defense twice and running it out of play in the other. There were plenty of other incidents, but those just stuck out.

He makes mistakes? Of course he makes mistakes. But I don't think they're as often as you make them out to be. The problem is, fans, all football fans, even pundits, judge players on individual incidents: goals, assists, dribbles..etc or on the other hand OGs, mistakes that lead to goals, bad passes..etc and Mikel doesn't do any of those. His biggest assets are his incredible consistency in his passing, his ball retention skills, and his discipline to sit deep and protect that back four all game long. Those don't show in individual incidents or in individual matches for that matter but are invaluable for the team because the name of the modern game, especially for a top team like Chelsea is "keep possession".

As for his passing game being "not even that good", I know that the people who don't like Mikel tend to hate stats, but you just don't have the most passes in the league with the highest accuracy over the past four seasons by accident, you have to be an incredible passer. And again, in Mikel's case, it's not the 50ft pass, but the ability to make that 10-20ft pass 9 times out of ten in every single game. No one else currently in the league is capable of that.

[communicate 2,703]

He's a bit slow to react at times, and his mobility off the ball is not the best, I'll be the first to admit that. But I do think he defends well enough because he makes up for that with his physical abilities, tactical awareness and more importantly discipline. He's not a ball winning DM (this was an absurd concept back in the 90s) but what he does is close passing angles, stays on his feet to force the error. Take the last game vs United for instance, there were three incidents in the first half when Cole was out of position and Nani had the ball running down the right flank on the counter. Mikel just stayed with him and close all passing angles. Nani ended giving it back to our defense twice and running it out of play in the other. There plenty of other incidents, but those just stuck out.

He makes mistakes? Of course he makes mistakes. But I don't think they're as often as you make them out to be. The problem is, fans, all football fans, even pundits, judge players on individual incidents: goals, assists, dribbles..etc or on the other hand OGs, mistakes that lead to goals, bad passes..etc and Mikel doesn't any of those. His biggest assets are his incredible consistency in his passing, his ball retention skills, and his discipline to sit deep and protect that back four all game long. Those don't show in individual incidents or in individual matches for that matter but are invaluable for the team because the name of the modern game, especially for a top team like Chelsea is "keep possession".

As for his passing game being "not even that good", I know that the people who don't like Mikel tend to hate stats, but you just don't have the most passes in the league with the highest accuracy over the past four seasons by accident, you have to be an incredible passer. And again, in Mikel's case, it's not the 50ft pass, but the ability to make that 10-20ft pass 9 times out of ten in every single game. No one else in the league is capable of that.

Good post' I think the only thing that is missing in Mikel game is his passing range. His passing for Nigeria is wonderful but for us he tends to play more conservative pass. I don't want him to start playing crazy long ball but good lo g ball ala carrick/Alonso is what we need

[lucio 5,418]

he and ramires should play in every big game til the end of the season. in the summer we should buy at least 2 midfielders. especially if lampard leaves which he will.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Good post' I think the only thing that is missing in Mikel game is his passing range. His passing for Nigeria is wonderful but for us he tends to play more conservative pass. I don't want him to start playing crazy long ball but good lo g ball ala carrick/Alonso is what we need

I agree to an extent.I think that is something the manager has to tell him to do. He certainly has the ability, he showed that for Nigeria numerous times. We just need a manager who took notice of that and is willing to integrate that to Mikel's role in the team.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I agree to an extent.I think that is something the manager has to tell him to do. He certainly has the ability, he showed that for Nigeria numerous times. We just need a manager who took notice of that and is willing to integrate that to Mikel's role in the team.

So all these managers who were smart enough in the past to play him aren't smart enough to realise what a good passer he is and integrate that?

He's a bit slow to react at times, and his mobility off the ball is not the best, I'll be the first to admit that. But I do think he defends well enough because he makes up for that with his physical abilities, tactical awareness and more importantly discipline. He's not a ball winning DM (this was an absurd concept back in the 90s) but what he does is close passing angles, stays on his feet to force the error. Take the last game vs United for instance, there were three incidents in the first half when Cole was out of position and Nani had the ball running down the right flank on the counter. Mikel just stayed with him and closed all passing angles. Nani ended giving it back to our defense twice and running it out of play in the other. There were plenty of other incidents, but those just stuck out.

He makes mistakes? Of course he makes mistakes. But I don't think they're as often as you make them out to be. The problem is, fans, all football fans, even pundits, judge players on individual incidents: goals, assists, dribbles..etc or on the other hand OGs, mistakes that lead to goals, bad passes..etc and Mikel doesn't do any of those. His biggest assets are his incredible consistency in his passing, his ball retention skills, and his discipline to sit deep and protect that back four all game long. Those don't show in individual incidents or in individual matches for that matter but are invaluable for the team because the name of the modern game, especially for a top team like Chelsea is "keep possession".

As for his passing game being "not even that good", I know that the people who don't like Mikel tend to hate stats, but you just don't have the most passes in the league with the highest accuracy over the past four seasons by accident, you have to be an incredible passer. And again, in Mikel's case, it's not the 50ft pass, but the ability to make that 10-20ft pass 9 times out of ten in every single game. No one else currently in the league is capable of that.

I enjoy stats, but I understand they require context. You actually have to watch the games at the same time and realise that a player can have 84% pass completion and still put in a poor shift against a team like Southampton. That's the difference between watching a game on the stats sheet and actually bothering to watch the match itself. Not all passes are equal either, so looking to make 5-10 yard passes to full-backs will obviously be lower risk than the 30 yard raking passes that other players might make.

There's also a point you never acknowledge - do those passes put other players in better positions. Ball circulation is key to dragging the opposition out of position but the best players in that position also move their own players into more productive areas and that's an area Mikel needs to work on. Again, this requires watching the matches but look at what happens when Mikel completes a pass - sometimes you'll see him halt the forward movement of the team, or give the ball to a player where they were and not where they will be. You'll also see the occasional hospital pass too, yet they all count as completed passes.

Like I've said before, you're in 'backstreet mode' on Mikel. You're not objective in the slightest about him, similar to those who criticise Mikel constantly aren't. He'll be an important player in our squad next season but we need better players around him because he's always needed that. Too often he's seemed like a passenger and until he elevates his game he'll struggle to win over a fair amount of the Chelsea faithful.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

So all these managers who were smart enough in the past to play him aren't smart enough to realise what a good passer he is and integrate that?

I enjoy stats, but I understand they require context. You actually have to watch the games at the same time and realise that a player can have 84% pass completion and still put in a poor shift against a team like Southampton. That's the difference between watching a game on the stats sheet and actually bothering to watch the match itself. Not all passes are equal either, so looking to make 5-10 yard passes to full-backs will obviously be lower risk than the 30 yard raking passes that other players might make.

There's also a point you never acknowledge - do those passes put other players in better positions. Ball circulation is key to dragging the opposition out of position but the best players in that position also move their own players into more productive areas and that's an area Mikel needs to work on. Again, this requires watching the matches but look at what happens when Mikel completes a pass - sometimes you'll see him halt the forward movement of the team, or give the ball to a player where they were and not where they will be. You'll also see the occasional hospital pass too, yet they all count as completed passes.

Like I've said before, you're in 'backstreet mode' on Mikel. You're not objective in the slightest about him, similar to those who criticise Mikel constantly aren't. He'll be an important player in our squad next season but we need better players around him because he's always needed that. Too often he's seemed like a passenger and until he elevates his game he'll struggle to win over a fair amount of the Chelsea faithful.

Yes, yes, my opinion is completely subjective despite a lot of top posters agreeing with every thing I say and I never watch matches, only statistics, in fact I should not be placed in the same category as you as a Chelsea fan, oh great one..

I'm really not in the mood today for your constant digs at me, but I have to give it you, you're finally starting to get on my nerves, which is what you're aiming for, so well done!

[English Freak 456]

He's a bit slow to react at times, and his mobility off the ball is not the best, I'll be the first to admit that. But I do think he defends well enough because he makes up for that with his physical abilities, tactical awareness and more importantly discipline. He's not a ball winning DM (this was an absurd concept back in the 90s) but what he does is close passing angles, stays on his feet to force the error. Take the last game vs United for instance, there were three incidents in the first half when Cole was out of position and Nani had the ball running down the right flank on the counter. Mikel just stayed with him and closed all passing angles. Nani ended giving it back to our defense twice and running it out of play in the other. There were plenty of other incidents, but those just stuck out.

He makes mistakes? Of course he makes mistakes. But I don't think they're as often as you make them out to be. The problem is, fans, all football fans, even pundits, judge players on individual incidents: goals, assists, dribbles..etc or on the other hand OGs, mistakes that lead to goals, bad passes..etc and Mikel doesn't do any of those. His biggest assets are his incredible consistency in his passing, his ball retention skills, and his discipline to sit deep and protect that back four all game long. Those don't show in individual incidents or in individual matches for that matter but are invaluable for the team because the name of the modern game, especially for a top team like Chelsea is "keep possession".

As for his passing game being "not even that good", I know that the people who don't like Mikel tend to hate stats, but you just don't have the most passes in the league with the highest accuracy over the past four seasons by accident, you have to be an incredible passer. And again, in Mikel's case, it's not the 50ft pass, but the ability to make that 10-20ft pass 9 times out of ten in every single game. No one else currently in the league is capable of that.

If you can't make that 10ft pass on a consistent basis, you shouldn't be playing for a top club.

I'm not sure if "no one" else is capable of making 10ft passes on a consistent basis...its more like the other midfielders in the EPL try to keep the game flowing.

In Mikel's case, there have been many occasions where he slows down play and kills the flow of the team..which allows the opposition more time to react and reposition themselves to deal with our attacking threat..

[The only place to be 11,313]

If you can't make that 10ft pass on a consistent basis, you shouldn't be playing for a top club.

I'm not sure if "no one" else is capable of making 10ft passes on a consistent basis...its more like the other midfielders in the EPL try to keep the game flowing.

In Mikel's case, there have been many occasions where he slows down play and kills the flow of the team..which allows the opposition more time to react and reposition themselves to deal with our attacking threat..

That last point reminds me of Joe Cole towards the end of his career here - undoubtably a good player but just killed momentum whenever he picked up the ball and was ultimately let go.

In terms of passing though, Mikel has a very cosseted role in the team. He's surrounded by options, including the keeper, so of course he should be maintaining a high pass completion ratio as well as a hugh number of passes in general. No-one is saying he's such a bad player that he can't do that. His role is as a conduit, a facilitator and an important cog in the machine. But could he be better? Could he shave a few milliseconds off the time between receiving a pass and moving it one? Could he play with more urgency? I think that's what people want to see from him.

Maybe he's constrained by the lack of ambition that the role demands, which is why I'd actually like to see him be given a go as the playmaker in the team's midfield. He'd have less responsibility on the defensive side of the ball and more freedom to use his passing ability which is under-utilised according to his supporters. We could play a DM like Romeu or someone else (naming no names) who could do the water-carrying and let him express himself more creatively.

That's the point people who criticise his performances keep making - he has the technical skills and physical gifts to be better than he is right now. If he was a limited footballer then he wouldn't be nearly so frustrating.