Mikel John Obi

[The Skipper 20,593]

If mikel were to score an own goal in every game, people like you and choulo19 willl still defend him and say "look he is so consistent".

Don't be ridiculous, I agree that Mikel has been below average in general this season, he's had his (few) good games and he's had some bad games but in general he's been underwhelming. All I was saying to you is that if you're going to say something say it in the right way. He has played quite a bit this season.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Don't be ridiculous, I agree that Mikel has been below average in general this season, he's had his (few) good games and he's had some bad games but in general he's been underwhelming. All I was saying to you is that if you're going to say something say it in the right way. He has played quite a bit this season.

He's like the Indian Phil. Just a lil more cringy.

[Special Juan 27,439]

Exactly people are shanking the dagger into Mikel's back after one poor performance whilst conveniently being oblivious that his midfield partner was and has been poor. The quicker we get Lampard out of the starting 11 in the CM/DM role the better.

I think the posts about Mikel have been very consistent from a lot of people on this forum for some time now, quite reflective of how Mikel has been in this period.

It's not just an isolated case of the 'dagger in the back' He's been average for some time now.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

I think the posts about Mikel have been very consistent from a lot of people on this forum for some time now, quite reflective of how Mikel has been in this period.

It's not just an isolated case of the 'dagger in the back' He's been average for some time now.

I agree, but it shows how some here are just blatant hypocrites. Lampard has been horrendous as well, but not a word is said about it.

[Kieran. 6,317]

One bad game and the anti-Mikel brigade is in full force! Jesus Christ, fucking relentless.

[DYC. 7,542]

Those two mistakes were shocking. It's not the fact that he sloppily gave the ball away that annoys me (most) there, it's the half-arsed attempt to get back and defend.

That's the absolute most frustrating part of his game. He's been doing it since his Chelsea career started and has never stopped doing. I can't believe that the army of coaches/managers he's worked with haven't been able to get that out of his game.

Obi in general is a decent player at this level but shouldn't be starting for a club of Chelsea's aspirations imo, a fine squad player though. I consider him a very lucky man, having played at Chelsea for so long and I wouldn't be surprised if he never left.

[Special Juan 27,439]

One bad game and the anti-Mikel brigade is in full force! Jesus Christ, fucking relentless.

No, not really.

[The only place to be 11,313]

No, not really.

Exactly...there is no anti-Mikel brigade

We definitely don't meet on Thursdays and it definitely isn't my turn to bring the cupcakes this week....and what secret handshake?

[The Mak 4,459]

Ahh, there's nothing like visiting the 'Choulo Vs. Everyone else' thread!










Seriously though, I don't think he's Chelsea standard in terms of starting. Good squad player for us, but that should be it. I'd like to think my club is a little bit more ambitious than 'Mikel'.

That said, he is our only true DM at the moment and, like it or not, the Rami-Mikel partnership is one of the best as it allows Rami more freedom compared to being paired with Frank.

[lionsden 4,689]

Watching the pivot was hilarious though. A pissed off Oscar watching them play it to each other, side-ways and backwards, and finally lose it. Eventually Oscar comes deep and releases the other attacking players by making a clinical forward pass. Ah, has any other team had such a chronical pivot problem as Chelsea has had?

Don't worry emenalo will buy more attacking midfielders and wingers in jan and next summer. when all else fails, buy more AM's.

[robsblubot 3,528]

Ahh, there's nothing like visiting the 'Choulo Vs. Everyone else' thread!

Seriously though, I don't think he's Chelsea standard in terms of starting. Good squad player for us, but that should be it. I'd like to think my club is a little bit more ambitious than 'Mikel'.

That said, he is our only true DM at the moment and, like it or not, the Rami-Mikel partnership is one of the best as it allows Rami more freedom compared to being paired with Frank.

yup... I used to come here for the discussion, but I just don't care... I just know I don't enjoy watching him play, because to me he doesn't do anything special on the pitch.

[OneMoSalah 8,783]

yup... I used to come here for the discussion, but I just don't care... I just know I don't enjoy watching him play, because to me he doesn't do anything special on the pitch.

Which holding midfield player does anything specifically special on the pitch? Not many do. Its just some sort of myth because Sergio Busquets since he broke into the Barca team, Xabi Alonso although I find it hard to believe hes a holding midfielder and Alex Song in his last season at Arsenal (when he basically played as a box to box midfielder) played some nice passes in between the lines. Its not that Mikel can't, he just plays his role very well, safety first, no risks, fills in when he needs to do so and tackles when he needs to tackle. I am honestly baffled by this argument, I've seen others post it "I don't think hes good enough because he does nothing special" other players like Arteta/Carrick/Britton/Lucas/Allen etc. do a similar sort of job, just keep the ball moving on, safety first, no risks as do other players...

[lucio 5,418]

Which holding midfield player does anything specifically special on the pitch? Not many do. Its just some sort of myth because Sergio Busquets since he broke into the Barca team, Xabi Alonso although I find it hard to believe hes a holding midfielder and Alex Song in his last season at Arsenal (when he basically played as a box to box midfielder) played some nice passes in between the lines. Its not that Mikel can't, he just plays his role very well, safety first, no risks, fills in when he needs to do so and tackles when he needs to tackle. I am honestly baffled by this argument, I've seen others post it "I don't think hes good enough because he does nothing special" other players like Arteta/Carrick/Britton/Lucas/Allen etc. do a similar sort of job, just keep the ball moving on, safety first, no risks as do other players...

he dosent always tackle when he needs to though. he loses alot of them for a guy his size.

[OneMoSalah 8,783]

he dosent always tackle when he needs to though. he loses alot of them for a guy his size.

Really... I wouldn't say that, I feel he doesn't give away unnecessary fouls like other players do when they are in positions when they cannot really take the ball without taking the man (Luiz, Ramires, Lampard).

[lucio 5,418]

Really... I wouldn't say that, I feel he doesn't give away unnecessary fouls like other players do when they are in positions when they cannot really take the ball without taking the man (Luiz, Ramires, Lampard).

not talking about fouls. i mean when he goes into a challenge with the other guy and is too weak and the other player comes out with the ball. or when he steps out forward and the player dribbles around him easily.

[robsblubot 3,528]

Which holding midfield player does anything specifically special on the pitch? Not many do. Its just some sort of myth because Sergio Busquets since he broke into the Barca team, Xabi Alonso although I find it hard to believe hes a holding midfielder and Alex Song in his last season at Arsenal (when he basically played as a box to box midfielder) played some nice passes in between the lines. Its not that Mikel can't, he just plays his role very well, safety first, no risks, fills in when he needs to do so and tackles when he needs to tackle. I am honestly baffled by this argument, I've seen others post it "I don't think hes good enough because he does nothing special" other players like Arteta/Carrick/Britton/Lucas/Allen etc. do a similar sort of job, just keep the ball moving on, safety first, no risks as do other players...

He's too slow to be an effective guardian of the back four. It takes too long for him to move to where he's needed. That's why IMO he plays better for Nigeria where he doesn't need to do that.

however, I disagree and think he simply does not have the ability to do more. Mikel can't do what he hasn't done ... ever. I watch him for Nigeria, and aside from being the center of the team, I think he's also not good enough (for a team like Chelsea) even if he did what he does for them. Again, he's not a bad player, just not good enough to start for Chelsea. That's how I feel when I watch him play - nothing special.

Players better than him as a DM/CM? There are too many to name... All our PL opponents have better options there - some a lot better.

[chelseawise 115]

Does anyone have statistics on percentage of passes that Mikel makes are either sideways or backwards. I would guess it would be more than 95%.

He slows the game, kills creativity and brings absolutely nothing to the team. Why has he survived this long at chelsea is a mystery. In my opinion we should start a game with Ramirez and Oscar as holding midfielders.

[happy_juan 64]

Does anyone have statistics on percentage of passes that Mikel makes are either sideways or backwards. I would guess it would be more than 95%.

He slows the game, kills creativity and brings absolutely nothing to the team. Why has he survived this long at chelsea is a mystery. In my opinion we should start a game with Ramirez and Oscar as holding midfielders.

By the time a coach realizes Mikel's true value or lack there of, he will be fired and we go throuhh the entire painful process again.