Mikel John Obi

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Of course not... managers always replace the best players. So was he the worst against Sporting?! Because if he was the BEST against newcastle and very good against Sporting, perhaps he deserves a starting lineup position?

My point remains: either Mikel starts when all other players are available, in which case he is at least good enough (let's not even go into "best"), or he doesn't (start) and which case he isn't good enough to start. There is very little else to say. I was just calling Jose on his BS.

We will see in the following games, esp when Rambo regains match fitness.

I think the whole Jose press conference went completely over your head, not sure how either, it was pretty straightforward.

Firstly, let's put the quote in context - Jose was talking about how important the squad is to him. By squad he means all 22-24 players and not just the first XI. He was talking about how even if you don't start you need to be professional and be ready to help the team. This is when he uses Mikel as an example. Mikel, a squad player, just by mentioning him should give you a clue that he regards Mikel as a squad player and not the best Chelsea player. Then he goes on to say that this squad player never played, but when he was called upon he helped the team, so much so that he put in a MOM performance, clearly showing that squad players can be just as important as first XI.

He is clearly saying Mikel is a squad player, but when called upon, he still helped the team by giving a great performance.

Now if you don't think he was good in the Newcastle match, that's a seperate discussion.

I def don't think Jose's quote was BS, if anything I it was a very very good quote supported with a clear example to motivate all other squad players.

[didierforever 7,349]

I think the whole Jose press conference went completely over your head, not sure how either, it was pretty straightforward.

Firstly, let's put the quote in context - Jose was talking about how important the squad is to him. By squad he means all 22-24 players and not just the first XI. He was talking about how even if you don't start you need to be professional and be ready to help the team. This is when he uses Mikel as an example. Mikel, a squad player, just by mentioning him should give you a clue that he regards Mikel as a squad player and not the best Chelsea player. Then he goes on to say that this squad player never played, but when he was called upon he helped the team, so much so that he put in a MOM performance, clearly showing that squad players can be just as important as first XI.

He is clearly saying Mikel is a squad player, but when called upon, he still helped the team by giving a great performance.

Now if you don't think he was good in the Newcastle match, that's a seperate discussion.

I def don't think Jose's quote was BS, if anything I it was a very very good quote supported with a clear example to motivate all other squad players.

this. thank you

[robsblubot 3,595]

I think the whole Jose press conference went completely over your head, not sure how either, it was pretty straightforward.

Firstly, let's put the quote in context - Jose was talking about how important the squad is to him. By squad he means all 22-24 players and not just the first XI. He was talking about how even if you don't start you need to be professional and be ready to help the team. This is when he uses Mikel as an example. Mikel, a squad player, just by mentioning him should give you a clue that he regards Mikel as a squad player and not the best Chelsea player. Then he goes on to say that this squad player never played, but when he was called upon he helped the team, so much so that he put in a MOM performance, clearly showing that squad players can be just as important as first XI.

He is clearly saying Mikel is a squad player, but when called upon, he still helped the team by giving a great performance.

Now if you don't think he was good in the Newcastle match, that's a seperate discussion.

I def don't think Jose's quote was BS, if anything I it was a very very good quote supported with a clear example to motivate all other squad players.

Of course, that must be the only possible explanation.

--

Now I believe in what he said; disagreeing or not wasn' the point as I dislike Mikel as a footballer. I find extremely naive to believe anything Jose says to the press, so I tend to pay attention to what he does, not what he says. Mikel starting today makes me believe Jose really thinks what he said... there is another explanation, but we will only find out in a month or so.

He also said, that "he and Fabregas knew very well what his true position is back then" which in the contest at the time, was CM. So, things change, and his positions to the press are, let's say, inconsistent.

Having a player like Mikel on the squad means youngsters will never play. I really can't agree with that.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Having a player like Mikel on the squad means youngsters will never play. I really can't agree with that.

Disagree. Mikel is a very useful player because of his experience and his specialist role. I'm all for youth integration as you know but Mikel is not blocking anyone's path. None of our youngsters have anywhere near Mikel's skill set either (maybe apart from Ake but he's just come back from injury). It's Mourinho's decision at the end of the day anyway.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Disagree. Mikel is a very useful player because of his experience and his specialist role. I'm all for youth integration as you know but Mikel is not blocking anyone's path. None of our youngsters have anywhere near Mikel's skill set either (maybe apart from Ake but he's just come back from injury). It's Mourinho's decision at the end of the day anyway.

Funny because this is one of the arguments people who defend Jose make - when he does not employ youngsters - that youngsters are lower than the fringe players in the so called pecking order.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Funny because this is one of the arguments people who defend Jose make - when he does not employ youngsters - that youngsters are lower than the fringe players in the so called pecking order.

Mikel IMO is pretty important and useful, unlike someone like Salah for example, and I don't see any youth players that have the same skill set as him as I mentioned before.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

There is no hate from me. I think he's a shitty player, especially for a top club. That has nothing to do with hate, which honestly sounds like rhetoric to me. I don't "like" the players I consider good, and I don't "dislike" the players I deem insufficient. I don't know them and they really don't mean anything to me - the same way i don't mean anything to them.

Disagree again, a player who accepts a minor role is deadweight. A footballer without ambition doesn't belong at this level.

You couldn't even let a small praise by Jose go without making a comment that really added nothing (because Jose mentioned Mikel as an example of a squad player so he is actually saying that he is a bench player, but you just had to say it in a mean way) but insults the players abilities and efforts. If that is not hate then what do you call it? Dislike? Over-criticism? Obsession??

[robsblubot 3,595]

You couldn't even let a small praise by Jose go without making a comment that really added nothing (because Jose mentioned Mikel as an example of a squad player so he is actually saying that he is a bench player, but you just had to say it in a mean way) but insults the players abilities and efforts. If that is not hate then what do you call it? Dislike? Over-criticism? Obsession??

Dislike (of his game) -> sure as I watch him today I think he is our worst player on the pitch by a fair margin. Terrible on the ball even though he's the one midfielder who's not being tight marked.

Over-criticism? Obsession?? -> your opinion

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Dislike (of his game) -> sure as I watch him today I think he is our worst player on the pitch by a fair margin. Terrible on the ball even though he's the one midfielder who's not being tight marked.

Over-criticism? Obsession?? -> your opinion

Can't judge today because I've missed most of the match, but on his past few performances, if he's been as bad as you claim, how come he keeps getting starts and has established himself as the main rotation player?

Weren't you just saying:

Believe in what Jose does, not what he says.

Well, Jose has put a lot of trust in the past month in Mikel.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Can't judge today because I've missed most of the match, but on his past few performances, if he's been as bad as you claim, how come he keeps getting starts and has established himself as the main rotation player?

Weren't you just saying:

Well, Jose has put a lot of trust in the past month in Mikel.

Don't disagree with the second part - already said that myself though not the whole month as other players were not available. Need more time on the first one as only now he will be in contention with the other midfielders.

Again, I've seen enough of Mikel to know what he can and cannot do. Our opinions won't change on this.

[didierforever 7,349]

Can't judge today because I've missed most of the match, but on his past few performances, if he's been as bad as you claim, how come he keeps getting starts and has established himself as the main rotation player?

Weren't you just saying:

Well, Jose has put a lot of trust in the past month in Mikel.

he was pretty decent today. broke the play perfectly, our back 4 was hardly troubled which goes on to show how good both our DMs were. matic was exceptional and mikel had a good game.

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

Not bad.

[The Skipper 20,609]

He was actually decent today again. Broke up play well and did his job. Okay, playing him sacrifices our ability going forward but we were very solid defensively today and Mikel alongside Matic was a very important part of that.

[lucio 5,418]

made a glut of tackles and interceptions. but his passing was sloppier than usual

he has played well recently. but if this 2 man holding idea continues to be used. i think we would be well served getting an upgrade.schneiderlin and witsel seem obvious choices.

[Stats 7,142]

Dislike (of his game) -> sure as I watch him today I think he is our worst player on the pitch by a fair margin. Terrible on the ball even though he's the one midfielder who's not being tight marked.

Over-criticism? Obsession?? -> your opinion

Even if you are not fond of a player you should be big enough to give credit when it is deserved. He was not on Matic level tonight but he was good and did his job well. But you are saying "he is our worst player on the pitch by a fair margin". Jesus Christ! Some people. He was very solid. The whole team put in a good performance but Willian for instance did not have a better game than Mikel.

[stroey 2,525]

Loved the Luiz-Matic pivot last season but Mikel-Matic isn't bad either. Hope to see more of Mikel or Ramires partnering Matic in tough games. Cesc at the final third is also a joy to watch.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Even if you are not fond of a player you should be big enough to give credit when it is deserved. He was not on Matic level tonight but he was good and did his job well. But you are saying "he is our worst player on the pitch by a fair margin". Jesus Christ! Some people. He was very solid. The whole team put in a good performance but Willian for instance did not have a better game than Mikel.

That's exactly my problem with him: he's mediocre. Now if mediocrity is what you look for in a chelsea's rotation? player, then I have to disagree.

Let me put it this way. Every other player in our starting XI would have been Stoke's key player (or at least very close to key in Cahill's case), except Mikel. What Mikel did today, nothing special really, N'Zonzi could've done it the same or better (with more energy).

You can disagree with what I just wrote, and that's fine, but don't ask me to be big, to be nice, which sounds weird to be honest. I'm not a judge, and this is my pastime. We are talking about millionaires who don't give a crap about any of us; getting a hash critique from a random poster is included in their fat paycheck.

[Tomo 21,751]

For those that remember, Mikel in the teenage tournaments, essentially a CM/AM(ish) rather than a DM.

Cringed when Jose attempted to mold him into the Makalele.

Talent waste.

Actually it was under Scolari he started playing there in a full time basis.

[Tomo 21,751]

Of course, that must be the only possible explanation.

--

Now I believe in what he said; disagreeing or not wasn' the point as I dislike Mikel as a footballer. I find extremely naive to believe anything Jose says to the press, so I tend to pay attention to what he does, not what he says. Mikel starting today makes me believe Jose really thinks what he said... there is another explanation, but we will only find out in a month or so.

He also said, that "he and Fabregas knew very well what his true position is back then" which in the contest at the time, was CM. So, things change, and his positions to the press are, let's say, inconsistent.

Having a player like Mikel on the squad means youngsters will never play. I really can't agree with that.

So we ditch an experienced player who has played in multiple high pressure games at the highest level and instead throw in an kid?

[robsblubot 3,595]

So we ditch an experienced player who has played in multiple high pressure games at the highest level and instead throw in an kid?

Yes, that's called developing youngsters...

Come on...our third striker is 27yo, so yes, the youngsters will never play.