Mikel John Obi

[zolayes 14,489]

I would prefer to see him replaced by one of our young HG players

[lucio 5,418]

wow.. that's what we're resorting to?

its what the african news, are reporting

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I really really dont see how his managed to stay here this long, should have left along time ago now his being an obstacle to younger guys who imo are better, seeing him on the bench just means the philosophy will not change for the season, park the bus mentality in big games instead of for once taking the initiative to outplay teams

[stroey 2,525]

I really really dont see how his managed to stay here this long, should have left along time ago now his being an obstacle to younger guys who imo are better, seeing him on the bench just means the philosophy will not change for the season, park the bus mentality in big games instead of for once taking the initiative to outplay teams

He is very useful, reliable and stable. He's good at defending as a CDM. Those attributes like good at going forward, great through balls are overrated for a player at his position.

[Special Juan 27,424]

This was the season we should of been moving away from Mikel IMO. Loaning out Romeu was a mistake in my eyes and using the words 'he adds experience' isn't enough for me to justify Mikel remaining. Romeu would of been a great option next to Matic or Fabregas when called upon.

I just find this a very silly decision.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

He is very useful, reliable and stable. He's good at defending as a CDM. Those attributes like good at going forward, great through balls are overrated for a player at his position.

No they are not, Vidal can do both attack and defence, Bastian, Pogba, Gundogan, to name a few CDM who can do what mikel does, if you want to see how much Mikel is shit look at how much our midfield improved when we got Matic, his good at parking the bus, Im tired of watching that brand of football we need to be more innovative Im not saying play like Lpool and neglect all defensive duties but at least balance attack and defence like Bayern Munich in 2013 during Heynks reign. Mikel is a symbol of parking the bus that is why I believe we will never move away from that brand of football as long as he is around on the bench because Mourinho will always turn to him

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I know that people are all for promoting young players and all that, but seriously, how in the world Romeu better than Mikel? That's almost as ridiculous as the people saying that Chalobah was already better than Mikel and Ramires two seasons ago.

Mikel is s staying because he is a quality squad player who has a lot to offer for the team. Jose wants him here. As simple as that.

No they are not, Vidal can do both attack and defence, Bastian, Pogba, Gundogan, to name a few CDM who can do what mikel does, if you want to see how much Mikel is shit look at how much our midfield improved when we got Matic, his good at parking the bus, Im tired of watching that brand of football we need to be more innovative Im not saying play like Lpool and neglect all defensive duties but at least balance attack and defence like Bayern Munich in 2013 during Heynks reign. Mikel is a symbol of parking the bus that is why I believe we will never move away from that brand of football as long as he is around on the bench because Mourinho will always turn to him

You want Vidal, Bastian, Pogba and Gundogan to be squad players for us?!

[lucio 5,418]

I know that people are all for promoting young players and all that, but seriously, how in the world Romeu better than Mikel? That's almost as ridiculous as the people saying that Chalobah was already better than Mikel and Ramires two seasons ago.

Mikel is s staying because he is a quality squad player who has a lot to offer for the team. Jose wants him here. As simple as that.

You want Vidal, Bastian, Pogba and Gundogan to be squad players for us?!

wins more tackles and passes it forward much quicker.

but he does not shield the ball, or make clearances as well as mikel.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

wins more tackles and passes it forward much quicker.

but he does not shield the ball, or make clearances as well as mikel.

He attempts more tackles and take A LOT more risks which aren't always good things for a DM, imo. He's more dynamic than Mikel, yes, but that is about it. Mikel is still miles better and much more reliable. You'd be crazy if you'd rather Romeu comes on and not Mikel in a CL semifinal or title decider at the Ettihad.

[happy_juan 64]

Has been leeching off the club for a long time now.

and no one is going to buy him.

He should thank his stars for his personal relationship with Emanalo.

[Beepu 1,714]

He's not my favourite player, but I don't think he is as bad and useless as some people make him out to be here. He is still a solid squad player for a team aspiring for trophies and he brings some form of experience to a fairly young team. Him staying is not the end of the world, but I do think in the near future he should make way for the younger players like Chalobah and Loftus Cheek.

If someone who's never heard of Mikel came and read this thread, they would think that he is more useless than Torres.

[Kieran. 6,317]

The lack of respect for this player is unbelievable.

[Madmax 9,219]

Has been leeching off the club for a long time now.

and no one is going to buy him.

He should thank his stars for his personal relationship with Emanalo.

Ah yes, he's sticking around 'because Emenalo' ... as opposed to the collective regard of managers with 6 Champions League titles between them.

[The only place to be 11,313]

The lack of respect for this player is unbelievable.

Exactly.

Can't other teams see what a great player he is and stump up £5 million for one of the best DMs in Europe?

Ah yes, he's sticking around 'because Emenalo' ... as opposed to the collective regard of managers with 6 Champions League titles between them.

Who were all sacked by us.

Mourinho has actually replaced him and relegated him to second-choice status hence the fact he's only featured for 90 minutes THREE times since Matic was signed.

The simple fact is that the people who used to defend him have had their arguments shot to bits by the revelatory performances of Matic who has shown precisely what a quality DM should do.

But apparently that defensive midfield role is something that is so nuanced we can't appreciate it....despite Matic and Makelele being well-loved by ALL Chelsea fans and Mikel being loathed, derided and mocked by the majority.

[Madmax 9,219]

Who were all sacked by us.

We regretted atleast one of those.

Do you think that was a silly point? If you did, the point served it's purpose; it was meant to illustrate that stupid reasons ("He's here because Emenalo") can be found by both sides.

Mourinho has actually replaced him and relegated him to second-choice status hence the fact he's only featured for 90 minutes THREE times since Matic was signed.

The simple fact is that the people who used to defend him have had their arguments shot to bits by the revelatory performances of Matic who has shown precisely what a quality DM should do.

But apparently that defensive midfield role is something that is so nuanced we can't appreciate it....despite Matic and Makelele being well-loved by ALL Chelsea fans and Mikel being loathed, derided and mocked by the majority.

All correct; I don't want Mikel here either. I just have an issue with people dragging Emenalo into this. Plenty legit reasons around for discarding him without needing to resort to this conspiracy bs.

[The only place to be 11,313]

We regretted atleast one of those.

Do you think that was a silly point? If you did, the point served it's purpose; it was meant to illustrate that stupid reasons ("He's here because Emenalo") can be found by both sides.

All correct; I don't want Mikel here either. I just have an issue with people dragging Emenalo into this. Plenty legit reasons around for discarding him without needing to resort to this conspiracy bs.

Emenalo re-signing him made sense because you'd have thought he would still have transfer value (or value to us as a squad member)...unfortunately that doesn't seem quite true.

[Madmax 9,219]

Emenalo re-signing him made sense because you'd have thought he would still have transfer value (or value to us as a squad member)...unfortunately that doesn't seem quite true.

Maybe the club, in recognition of his long service, decided to let him hang around till he gets his British passport. Wages aren't too bad (~70k) so that shouldn't be a problem, you'd think.

[Stats 7,053]

Part of the reason why Mikel is more difficult to sell is because he does not currently have a British passport. Once he gets his British passport in October he will be more of an attractive option for other clubs. So he could move to the Serie A without having an effect on rules of non-EU players but right now it will have an impact on such teams if he were to move. So people who think he can't be sold because he does not offer anything need to use their brain a little and think why. Once he gets his British passport he will have quite a few teams after him.

I like him as a squad player anyway so I am happy to see him here for the upcoming season. A reliable player who does what is asked of him.