Mikel John Obi

[CHOULO19 24,332]

OK.

I would respond to the rest of that post, but you seem to be making assumptions about Chelsea supporters, another thing you simply don't know.

It's okay, my post wasn't even aimed at you but at people who actually want to read other people's opinions

[OneMoSalah 8,619]

But that's the point isn't it?

As a specialist, Makalele's contribution in attack was poor, just like Mikel's (we all agree on that) - the zero assists and goals showcase that.

So, since Mikel, like Makelele, is so single-dimensional (defense only), shouldn't he be as good as Makelele was to be good enough?!

Makelele's contribution in attack was poor? Watch the 2-1 loss against Fulham from 2006, where Chris Coleman made sure Makelele was marked when we had possession so he couldn't get attacks started, we struggled. Maka was slightly more than a DM, he started our attacks after regaining the ball, sure not quite the same contribution as a winger or #10 but he effectively started them at times. We were quite fortunate we played a 3 man midfield as most teams in England still played 2 men midfields, if other teams had done what Fulham had done we would have struggled to get going at times. Just because you have 0 goals and 0 assists doesn't always mean you are bad offensively, you get players who create a lot of chances but don't get any assists or players who like Maka sometimes played that pass before the key pass that is vitally as important as the key pass.

[The only place to be 11,313]

It's okay, my post wasn't even aimed at you but at people who actually who want to read other people's opinions

I do want to read opinions, but you made assumptions about the Stamford Bridge crowd that were just wrong. I can speak to why Mikel has never become a beloved figure because I've seen it over years. You can just make guesses.

Your guesses were wrong by the way. Back to the village with you.

Watch the 2-1 loss against Fulham from 2006,

What season?

[OneMoSalah 8,619]

I do want to read opinions, but you made assumptions about the Stamford Bridge crowd that were just wrong. I can speak to why Mikel has never become a beloved figure because I've seen it over years. You can just make guesses.

Your guesses were wrong by the way. Back to the village with you.

What season?

2005/06 I think. Was 1-0, not 2-1 got the score wrong..

[The only place to be 11,313]

2005/06 I think. Was 1-0, not 2-1 got the score wrong..

Fair enough. Your point really isn't answering the larger point.

Maybe you can answer the same question I put to Choulo - why isn't Mikel popular with the fans? Is it because we're too dumb to recognise his contribution to the team because it doesn't come in the form of 30 yard screamers and mazy runs?

[OneMoSalah 8,619]

Fair enough. Your point really isn't answering the larger point.

Maybe you can answer the same question I put to Choulo - why isn't Mikel popular with the fans? Is it because we're too dumb to recognise his contribution to the team because it doesn't come in the form of 30 yard screamers and mazy runs?

I don't know why fans dislike Mikel. It is hard to go from somone like Makelele (who was arguably the best in that position until Busquets now a days) to Mikel who is still very good but not quite as good as Maka. I'm not certain why a lot of people think we need to sell him, when Carlo came in he started to establish himself as a key part of this team (SeB done a very good article on here about it, I'm sure you'll have read it), giving more freedom to the likes of Lampard/Deco/Ballack or whoever else as Essien was out injured for a long time (think it was one of his knee injuries) and the team a base to go and play. I don't get why Mikel isn't popular with the fans, I honestly don't, he does his job well, it doesn't make sense.

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

You can do better than that ,put up that picture of your mother again,

Never posted one, but why do you want one? So that you can continue your low life and wank one before coming to this thread?

[robsblubot 3,262]

Makelele's contribution in attack was poor? Watch the 2-1 loss against Fulham from 2006, where Chris Coleman made sure Makelele was marked when we had possession so he couldn't get attacks started, we struggled. Maka was slightly more than a DM, he started our attacks after regaining the ball, sure not quite the same contribution as a winger or #10 but he effectively started them at times. We were quite fortunate we played a 3 man midfield as most teams in England still played 2 men midfields, if other teams had done what Fulham had done we would have struggled to get going at times. Just because you have 0 goals and 0 assists doesn't always mean you are bad offensively, you get players who create a lot of chances but don't get any assists or players who like Maka sometimes played that pass before the key pass that is vitally as important as the key pass.

fair enough - don't really remember.

It actually makes the case against Mikel a lot stronger.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

You can do better than that ,put up that picture of your mother again,

Never posted one, but why do you want one? So that you can continue your low life and wank one before coming to this thread?

Alright people, there is no need for this language, please.

[OneMoSalah 8,619]

fair enough - don't really remember.

It actually makes the case against Mikel a lot stronger.

Not really. Mikel in the past has done the same, hes not always backwards/sideways. I was just disputing your point that you said Maka didn't do well offensively, maybe not in goals and assists but he did start attacks for us.

[robsblubot 3,262]

Not really. Mikel in the past has done the same, hes not always backwards/sideways. I was just disputing your point that you said Maka didn't do well offensively, maybe not in goals and assists but he did start attacks for us.

Mikel has zero goals and zero assists for Chelsea... how can you do any worse than that offensively?! I guess individual stats are only valid when talking about short-passing completion rates - easiest ability in football.

If you are saying Makelele was also better than Mikel offensively, how does that help Mikel if we've established Makelele was better defensively!?

BTW, I think I know the answer to The Place to Be's question: Mikel is a bit soft and that shows on and off the pitch.

[Joe Cool 388]

The thing is, Mikel does not have the consistency to justify a spot on the team, especially with the type of football that we are trying to play. Besides the FA cup match at Old Trafford, can anyone remember when he put in a decent shift in a big match last season? In the FA Cup semi against City, he got caught out of position more times than I can remember; Aguero and Tevez were able to have so much time and space in our final third it was infuriating. That match in Turin then the one against Kazan, do I even need to explain? Then against Southampton he decided it would be a great idea to press ridiculously high up the pitch, leaving our defence horribly exposed. People rave about his reliability and his defensive skills that make up for his lack of attacking ability, but quite honestly, his positioning is poor for a holding midfielder.

[Stats 6,989]

The thing is, Mikel does not have the consistency to justify a spot on the team, especially with the type of football that we are trying to play. Besides the FA cup match at Old Trafford, can anyone remember when he put in a decent shift in a big match last season? In the FA Cup semi against City, he got caught out of position more times than I can remember; Aguero and Tevez were able to have so much time and space in our final third it was infuriating. That match in Turin then the one against Kazan, do I even need to explain? Then against Southampton he decided it would be a great idea to press ridiculously high up the pitch, leaving our defence horribly exposed. People rave about his reliability and his defensive skills that make up for his lack of attacking ability, but quite honestly, his positioning is poor for a holding midfielder.

When we beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates last season I thought he done a very good job. He has done it in the past against Arsenal, where he completely dictates possession and provides defensive stability and he done it last season as well. Other than that even he might have lapses in concentration he still offers something to the team IMO.

[Phil Driver 503]

Was he dropped or rested last night and where does he stand if he is not in the team v Fulham?

If it is a rotation policy it will be Ramires/Mikel .

[Stats 6,989]

Was he dropped or rested last night and where does he stand if he is not in the team v Fulham?

If it is a rotation policy it will be Ramires/Mikel .

He would not have been "dropped" because of his performance because he done well against Everton. He was a doubt coming into the match and Jose as we know likes his rotation and thought MVG and Lamps would be a good fit.

[Phil Driver 503]

where does he stand if he is not in the team v Fulham?

[Phil Driver 503]

And dont say on the touchline.

[GodZola 630]

A couple of things....

Long before Kojo and the like got involved I stood virtually alone about Mikel's flaws as the majority of this forum were pro Mikel, its obviously changed now but my point is back then when I gave a logical respectful argument regarding his weaknesses members kept coming back with stats about his pass completion etc, so I find it a little nauseating to say the least that the pro Mikel camp are now refusing to accept stats - don't get me wrong stats are misleading but you simply cannot have it both ways?

In my discussions I pointed out that Mikel was simply too slow in everything he does - speed of thought, pace, awareness, ball distribution, this is why he would never make a top class DM, Makelele 99.9% of the time was in the right place at the right time, winning possesion then his ball distribution was swift to start our attacks, it was then argued that Mikel didn't have the quality infront of him that Makelele had at his disposal - a little ott but fair'ish comment, now my second point would be that we now have an abundance of quality players in attacking positions that he can get his teeth into, taking his defensive duties to one side all I ask is that he starts finding these creative players with quick ball movement on a consistent basis, now do all the pro Mikel supporters believe he can do that?