Mikel John Obi

[Strike 7,489]

Again, I get this in theory but does it actually work in practice? Mikel was completely overrun against City last season.

Not sure it's that weird seeing Essien picked either. Mikel was hauled off at half-time against Spurs when we were losing, dropped to the bench against Steaua and then dropped from the squad in the next game. Maybe he needs a game against Cardiff to build his confidence back up again.

Lack of options really. Lampard will be a passenger against Yaya/Fernandinho. Essien has barely got any gametime. Mikel is the next best option.

[Phil Driver 503]

Anyone who partners Mikel is carrying a passenger,first it was Paulinho and Dembele who were going to walk over Lampard,now it is Fernandinho,the only reason Lampard will get owned in midfield is if he partners Mikel ,who has as pointed out to you,struggled v Toure before. You fanboys really are something else.

[GodZola 630]

Even the Mikel 'brigade' must be thinking its no longer a coincidence that we are/have been getting results when he isn't playing or substituted...........

Always said he should be play against teams that are more offensive & brought on to defend winning positions not start at home against defensively minded sides so not entirely his fault.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

There are some very encouraging rumours about us signing Marseille's 21 year old superstar Gianelli Imbula to parter Ramires as early as January. We were willing to pay more than double what Marseille paid to get him in the first place [around 7 mill Euros].

If Mikel nor Essien aren't gonna play then I think this is very good news indeed to finally have someone who actually fits in a double pivot.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Even the Mikel 'brigade' must be thinking its no longer a coincidence that we are/have been getting results when he isn't playing or substituted...........

Always said he should be play against teams that are more offensive & brought on to defend winning positions not start at home against defensively minded sides so not entirely his fault.

I used to think exactly the same way, but I don't think he's been good enough defensively either. A player as slow as he is must position himself perfectly, and stay very close to the CBs, immediately in front of them actually. Because if he is high up the pitch he has to chase the play when beaten and he does not have the pace to do that. This happens very often I'm afraid.

That's the problem with Mikel IMO. He does NOT play like a DM for Nigeria. Many have stated he started off as a CAM, or more of a pure CM. That may explain why his positioning doesn't quite work for him nor Chelsea.

I've seen good things of him when playing for Nigeria, but the level of play (spec speed) as well as circumstances are completely different. He will never have the same freedom at Chelsea. He'd need a smaller side to play to his strengths and I reckon he is just not good enough for Chelsea to do that.

At this time I believe he may do better - again not really sure ever good enough but better - as a CM partnering a dynamic player like Ramires for example. This way the team won't expect him to be the "protector" of the defense which clearly hasn't worked so far. One thing that I fully agree with Phil is that it's all about the team, so if the team does not work when Mikel is on, if we cannot find a way to use him, then he has no place on the team.

[GodZola 630]

I used to think exactly the same way, but I don't think he's been good enough defensively either. A player as slow as he is must position himself perfectly, and stay very close to the CBs, immediately in front of them actually. Because if he is high up the pitch he has to chase the play when beaten and he does not have the pace to do that. This happens very often I'm afraid.

That's the problem with Mikel IMO. He does NOT play like a DM for Nigeria. Many have stated he started off as a CAM, or more of a pure CM. That may explain why his positioning doesn't quite work for him nor Chelsea.

I've seen good things of him when playing for Nigeria, but the level of play (spec speed) as well as circumstances are completely different. He will never have the same freedom at Chelsea. He'd need a smaller side to play to his strengths and I reckon he is just not good enough for Chelsea to do that.

At this time I believe he may do better - again not really sure ever good enough but better - as a CM partnering a dynamic player like Ramires for example. This way the team won't expect him to be the "protector" of the defense which clearly hasn't worked so far. One thing that I fully agree with Phil is that it's all about the team, so if the team does not work when Mikel is on, if we cannot find a way to use him, then he has no place on the team.

Mate, if it was down to me I would of sold him long ago & tbh I'm not really interested in his performances for Nigeria.

I concur, if we play with a high line then Mikel will struggle, however my post was directed at teams such like Bayern, Barca & possibly Arsenal when we are up against it with our backs to the wall & under pressure.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Mate, if it was down to me I would of sold him long ago & tbh I'm not really interested in his performances for Nigeria.

I concur, if we play with a high line then Mikel will struggle, however my post was directed at teams such like Bayern, Barca & possibly Arsenal when we are up against it with our backs to the wall & under pressure.

No, I understand where you are coming from. It wasn't a critique of your post at all.

Just saying I'm not sure he's been able to do the defensive work you say we need against top sides, and I agree we do need extra defensive work in those matches. Just not sure Mikel can really do that Makelele work. At least he hasn't been able to do that so far.

[GodZola 630]

No, I understand where you are coming from. It wasn't a critique of your post at all. Just saying I'm not sure he's been able to do the defensive work you say we need against top sides, and I agree we do need extra defensive work in those matches. Just not sure Mikel can really do that Makelele work. At least he hasn't been able to do that so far.

Fair comment fella & no offence taken, I agree with you to a point. There are games where he has produced................unfortunately we do not see it on a consistent basis - its always been 1 step forward and 3 steps back with our much maligned Mr Mikel!

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I used to think exactly the same way, but I don't think he's been good enough defensively either. A player as slow as he is must position himself perfectly, and stay very close to the CBs, immediately in front of them actually. Because if he is high up the pitch he has to chase the play when beaten and he does not have the pace to do that. This happens very often I'm afraid.

That's the problem with Mikel IMO. He does NOT play like a DM for Nigeria. Many have stated he started off as a CAM, or more of a pure CM. That may explain why his positioning doesn't quite work for him nor Chelsea.

I've seen good things of him when playing for Nigeria, but the level of play (spec speed) as well as circumstances are completely different. He will never have the same freedom at Chelsea. He'd need a smaller side to play to his strengths and I reckon he is just not good enough for Chelsea to do that.

At this time I believe he may do better - again not really sure ever good enough but better - as a CM partnering a dynamic player like Ramires for example. This way the team won't expect him to be the "protector" of the defense which clearly hasn't worked so far. One thing that I fully agree with Phil is that it's all about the team, so if the team does not work when Mikel is on, if we cannot find a way to use him, then he has no place on the team.

If mikel plays next to a more defensive person in the pivot, you all will see his true qualities.

Mikel is a CM, he's not a DM. Honestly I wish he would play alongside essien so that he'll have more freedom in the pivot and his natural game will show properly.

He is also a player that fits perfectly with possesion football but that's another story entirely

[robsblubot 3,595]

If mikel plays next to a more defensive person in the pivot, you all will see his true qualities.

Mikel is a CM, he's not a DM. Honestly I wish he would play alongside essien so that he'll have more freedom in the pivot and his natural game will show properly.

He is also a player that fits perfectly with possesion football but that's another story entirely

Indeed, but then he might still not be good enough for Chelsea and the characteristics of the premiere league (pace + pace and more pace).

Frankly I'm surprised he's been given this much time to show his qualities, which hasn't really happened thus far. We are not talking about a season, or a manager, but several.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Indeed, but then he might still not be good enough for Chelsea and the characteristics of the premiere league (pace + pace and more pace).

Frankly I'm surprised he's been given this much time to show his qualities, which hasn't really happened thus far. We are not talking about a season, or a manager, but several.

He is naturally very good on the ball. Which impresses managers during training so it could be why he is picked. But I know mikel is a CM and not a DM. That's why he hasn't shown his true talent on a consistent basis.

He needs someone to take the defensive duties in the pivot then he'll play naturally

[robsblubot 3,595]

He is naturally very good on the ball. Which impresses managers during training so it could be why he is picked. But I know mikel is a CM and not a DM. That's why he hasn't shown his true talent on a consistent basis.

He needs someone to take the defensive duties in the pivot then he'll play naturally

He's also very slow... (he's prob one of the slowest mids in the league) he's got no pace or acceleration. That's why I think he will never make it for Chelsea esp in the premiere league where pace is so important.

Once again, I'd be extremely happy to be proven wrong.

[Korea 734]

We have the slowest cms in the league (save Rambo).

[Phil Driver 503]

He is not naturally very good on the ball,he is very slow on the ball and he has no left foot a big handicap when playing that role.

[robsblubot 3,595]

He is not naturally very good on the ball,he is very slow on the ball and he has no left foot a big handicap when playing that role.

This is actually a very interesting point. Does quickness count in technique? I do think so.

Barcelona is the obvious example: they are so good at keeping the football not because of the short and easy passes, but because they are performed at a very high tempo. So when the opponents gets close to a barca player, the ball is no longer there.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

This is actually a very interesting point. Does quickness count in technique? I do think so.

Barcelona is the obvious example: they are so good at keeping the football not because of the short and easy passes, but because they are performed at a very high tempo. So when the opponents gets close to a barca player, the ball is no longer there.

So you think Pirlo does not have technical ability? Or Barbatov? Or Bergkamp? In terms of technical abilities, before we started getting players like Mata, Hazard and Oscar two seasons ago, Mikel was one of our best technical players. He is slow, but his technical ability on the ball is great.

Some people on here have an unhealthy obsession with Mikel. I honestly don't get what anyone can complain about Mikel this season. Apart from a couple of sub appearances where he was brought on to preserve a lead, Mikel has started 3 games: He was MOTM against Everton, had an excellent performance was our second best player behind Oscar and even scored against Fulham, and had an average performance in the first half against Tottenham when the whole team was under-performing (apart from the back 4 maybe). Yet some people don't seem to able to post anything without having a dig at the man.

[The only place to be 11,313]

This is actually a very interesting point. Does quickness count in technique? I do think so.

Barcelona is the obvious example: they are so good at keeping the football not because of the short and easy passes, but because they are performed at a very high tempo. So when the opponents gets close to a barca player, the ball is no longer there.

That's always been my (and other supporters') problem with Mikel. He's so ponderous on the ball at times when he should receive the ball and ship it on and it can occasionally lead to him getting caught in possession. It's one thing to retain possession but you've got to keep the tempo up and force the opposition to keep on moving.

[English Freak 456]

So you think Pirlo does not have technical ability? Or Barbatov? Or Bergkamp? In terms of technical abilities, before we started getting players like Mata, Hazard and Oscar two seasons ago, Mikel was one of our best technical players. He is slow, but his technical ability on the ball is great.

Some people on here have an unhealthy obsession with Mikel. I honestly don't get what anyone can complain about Mikel this season. Apart from a couple of sub appearances where he was brought on to preserve a lead, Mikel has started 3 games: He was MOTM against Everton, had an excellent performance was our second best player behind Oscar and even scored against Fulham, and had an average performance in the first half against Tottenham when the whole team was under-performing (apart from the back 4 maybe). Yet some people don't seem to able to post anything without having a dig at the man.

Exactly, I don't see anything wrong with Mikel's technique.

He's a good player without a doubt...but I just wish he was a bit more aggressive/assertive in certain matches...

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

I think the problem people have with Mikel is that he plays in a position that's occupied by a Chelsea legend, so they look at it sentimentally rather than objectively.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I think the problem people have with Mikel is that he plays in a position that's occupied by a Chelsea legend, so they look at it sentimentally rather than objectively.

It doesn't help that Makelele used to play there, but that's not just it. Mikel judged on his own merits doesn't exactly shine in many supporters' eyes.