Mikel John Obi

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I actually feel embarrassed for people who actually believe this. Honestly. Maybe the new hipster thing to do on TC since I've been away is to sing Mikel's praises anytime he is on the pitch, I don't know.

As I have always argued, people can throw up all the stats they want about Mikel, that's great, because they only show what he has done. My argument has always been about what he does not do; his general passiveness on the pitch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aVAfcwC5nk

Goal #1: Mikel does his party trick: jogs alongside a player to make it look like he's doing something when he's actually doing fuck all. Marking someone? Nope. Challenges him? Nope. Runs alongside him for about 30 yards and does not attempt to challenge him even though he is well covered with 2 defenders in front. Lets a player freely run 30 yards into the box - great defensive midfield play.

Goal #2: This is where he really fucks up. Tries to win the ball high up the pitch and completely fails, leaving the defence totally exposed. Yeah ok, we were chasing the game, fair enough but if you're not getting the ball you have to at least get the man - especially if you are supposed to be anchorman going to ground in the opposition's half! For fuck sake, it schoolboy stuff. He wasn't even on a yellow. At least Ramires would've taken the man.

I remember giving Mikel stick for being passive and not making tackles, only for Choulo to tell me something like (I'm not digging the conversation up) that he doesn't do it because if he fails it will leave the defence exposed. Well, when we judge Mikel do simple rules like these not still apply?! Or do they change according to the agenda? It seems like they change...

I'm not saying it was all down to him, but considering his involvement (or lack thereof) in both goals, the 2nd in particular, and to say the man had a good game is nothing short of embarrassing.

You can't be serious?

Goal #1: There's 3 other players running with that player. He actually stayed goal-side of the player so he couldn't shoot, why don't the defenders ahead get any players for making the challenge? It's not a party trick at all, any one of those defenders could have made that challenge, I'd give Mikel stick if he just stood there and let the player go past but he stayed goal side.

Goal #2: You say he should take the man, well whoever it was who put the challenge in after (I think it's Oscar) does take the man out. What did the referee do? Play on. So either way the man was out of the attack and guess what? There is a gap in defence. So if Mikel stayed would you have argued that he should've gone ahead of the halfway line and set us up for a counter attack? It was a poor attempt of a tackle from Mikel, I do agree, but could you not at least acknowledge the positive intent to press? Something which people criticise a lot when he doesn't.

[The Mak 4,459]

You can't be serious?

Goal #1: There's 3 other players running with that player. He actually stayed goal-side of the player so he couldn't shoot, why don't the defenders ahead get any players for making the challenge? It's not a party trick at all, any one of those defenders could have made that challenge, I'd give Mikel stick if he just stood there and let the player go past but he stayed goal side.

Goal #2: You say he should take the man, well whoever it was who put the challenge in after (I think it's Oscar) does take the man out. What did the referee do? Play on. So either way the man was out of the attack and guess what? There is a gap in defence. So if Mikel stayed would you have argued that he should've gone ahead of the halfway line and set us up for a counter attack? It was a poor attempt of a tackle from Mikel, I do agree, but could you not at least acknowledge the positive intent to press? Something which people criticise a lot when he doesn't.

#1: Maybe because it's Mikel job to make the tackle before the CBs? You know, to protect them - like a defensive midfielder. Just maybe? If Cahill makes the tackle and fails, he's in on goal. If Mikel makes the tackle and fails he still has 2 defenders to deal with. Simple stuff mate.

#2: Irrelevant. When you make a decision like that you have to go with it 110%, not half-arsed like he did. You either hang back and protect your back 4 from the counter (in which Mikel will probably do his party trick again anyway) or you go for the ball, failing that, get the man at least. Get his legs so it's more difficult to pass, wrestle him to the fucking ground, just don't let him skip around you while you flail around on the ground exposing your back 4.

The Oscar point is kind of mute anyway, even if he still made that pass, if Mikel did his job properly Oscar would've been free to go for the player he passed it to. So no, there wouldn't have still been a gap in defence. And at least Oscar knew what to do in that situation and Mikel, with all of his experience, didn't.

People think I'm being harsh on the man, but I have said for years and ever since I joined here that he wasn't good enough for the starting 11. I would point out where he failed and be labelled a 'hater' or whatever, well guess what? Matic comes along, shows everyone what you're supposed to do as a defensive midfielder and all of a sudden the Mikel fanboys are all in agreement that he is now only a good substitute! Wow! Doesn't that mean he isn't good enough?! What a turnaround!

Anyway, do you honestly believe he had a good game? Because if you do we should just end this discussion right here.

[The Chels 2,502]

I ask you something; do you want Javi Maritinez to be Matic backup or what? Because that wont happen. Maybe a more dynamic DM could be bought and Mikel sold, but that new DM will have flaws too. Unless we will buy someone like Tiago Mendes, Motta or somebody who is before retirement. And still while they are more creative, they aint faster. Each DM who will be our backup will not be as good as Matic simple as that.

Tiago is still a lot better than Mikel. He is defensively excellent, covers a lot of ground very quickly, is a leader and he is much better on the ball than either Matic or Mikel. Atletico play him against both the small and big teams and he's always so important (he dominated us at Stamford Bridge). I know I've already said this a few times but I still can't believe we didn't re-sign him on a free. A Matic-Tiago pivot would have been unreal in the big games.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Tiago was a brilliant utility player for Atletico last season and could of still done a great job here had he been re-signed

[The Chels 2,502]

Tiago was a brilliant utility player for Atletico last season and could of still done a great job here had he been re-signed

He's actually become more important for them this year, starting most games even at the age of 33. Atletico fans widely consider him one of their best players (but a lot are still bitter towards him for wanting to come here) and they've won 10 out of their last 11 games. Would've been our signing of the summer IMO given it was a free. Shame but oh well!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Why are we bashing Mikel? I thought he was more than decent replacement.

And please explain why he should have scored? Because that should be a very classic Mikel scoring header?

Bashing Mikel is like a fetish on this forum. It makes absolutely no senae but some people are irresistibly attracted to it to the point of obsession.

[GodZola 630]

I actually feel embarrassed for people who actually believe this. Honestly. Maybe the new hipster thing to do on TC since I've been away is to sing Mikel's praises anytime he is on the pitch, I don't know.

As I have always argued, people can throw up all the stats they want about Mikel, that's great, because they only show what he has done. My argument has always been about what he does not do; his general passiveness on the pitch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aVAfcwC5nkGoal #1: Mikel does his party trick: jogs alongside a player to make it look like he's doing something when he's actually doing fuck all. Marking someone? Nope. Challenges him? Nope. Runs alongside him for about 30 yards and does not attempt to challenge him even though he is well covered with 2 defenders in front. Lets a player freely run 30 yards into the box - great defensive midfield play.Goal #2: This is where he really fucks up. Tries to win the ball high up the pitch and completely fails, leaving the defence totally exposed. Yeah ok, we were chasing the game, fair enough but if you're not getting the ball you have to at least get the man - especially if you are supposed to be anchorman going to ground in the opposition's half! For fuck sake, it schoolboy stuff. He wasn't even on a yellow. At least Ramires would've taken the man.

I remember giving Mikel stick for being passive and not making tackles, only for Choulo to tell me something like (I'm not digging the conversation up) that he doesn't do it because if he fails it will leave the defence exposed. Well, when we judge Mikel do simple rules like these not still apply?! Or do they change according to the agenda? It seems like they change...

I'm not saying it was all down to him, but considering his involvement (or lack thereof) in both goals, the 2nd in particular, and to say the man had a good game is nothing short of embarrassing.

It never ceases to amaze me how this guy is so 'protected' on here, whilst he wasn't alone in why we conceded he played his part yet apparently he had a decent game?! No point in going into the analysis, asI think Alan Shearer nailed it last night on motd. Can't believe that people would think we would be ok before this game started without Matic, it would be tough enough with him playing let alone with obi one starting, I truely hope Ake is now given a start ahead of this cumbersome idiot if this situation occurs again.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

Does he ever go past a player? all I see he does is passing side way and backward, not even attempting many tackles. Can't believed he used to be a CAM at the start of his career.

Look like that player that you throw on to park the pen area and that is about it, God knows how he is still one of the best Nigerian player in their team now.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Does he ever go past a player? all I see he does is passing side way and backward, not even attempting many tackles. Can't believed he used to be a CAM at the start of his career.

Look like that player that you throw on to park the pen area and that is about it, God knows how he is still one of the best Nigerian player in their team now.

3/3 successful takeons. Second most on the pitch behind only Hazard. But if you're so intent on viewing him as bad player, please don't let facts stand in your way...

[tiby2979 175]

Most passes completed by a player in the Premier League this weekend (Mikel-95, Lucas Leiva-80, Fabregas-80) and 17 ball recoveries during the Newcastle game, nine more than Tiote, who was the closest player in that department (@Squawka)

[tiby2979 175]

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[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

Most passes completed by a player in the Premier League this weekend (Mikel-95, Lucas Leiva-80, Fabregas-80) and 17 ball recoveries during the Newcastle game, nine more than Tiote, who was the closest player in that department (@Squawka)

How many of those passes were in front of him and not sideways or backwards? He plays football with the rules of rugby

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

One thing I really liked about Romeu was his willingness to find the open split pass forward to our attackers.

[Starman60 1,343]

Mikel is a half decent player.....................But you dont win anything with half decent players. He is long past his peak (whenever that was !!) and he just doesn't instill confidence when I see him play. Yes he made a lot of passes on Saturday, but in what direction. The guy is too slow and too cumbersome for the Premiership and especially for the way Chelsea are playing now. Thanks Mikel, but it's way past time for you to move on. I personally don't think he ever justified the fee we had to pay United.

[Kieran. 6,317]

Mikel is a half decent player.....................But you dont win anything with half decent players. He is long past his peak (whenever that was !!) and he just doesn't instill confidence when I see him play. Yes he made a lot of passes on Saturday, but in what direction. The guy is too slow and too cumbersome for the Premiership and especially for the way Chelsea are playing now. Thanks Mikel, but it's way past time for you to move on. I personally don't think he ever justified the fee we had to pay United.

He probably did considering we won the Champions League with him in the starting lineup

[Starman60 1,343]

He probably did considering we won the Champions League with him in the starting lineup

I admire your loyalty to him Kieran, and yes, he played very well in that game, but so did the other 10 heroes. But you cant live on the memories of one game. I feel he have consistently flattered to deceive and never fulfilled the potential he was supposed to possess.

[CAREFREE CLARIDGE 2]

I like Mikel,I feel he is,I wouldn't say underrated but people don't recognize that a holding midfielder is one of the hardest positions on the pitch and I feel Mikel,When played does that role well but maybe in January bring in somebody else just incase Matic or Fabregas do pick up a knock, just to strengthen our bench. But i love how he has stuck with the club. :blue scalf:

[OneMoSalah 8,783]

Remember when people said Ramires would be Matic's direct replacement if he was injured/suspended? Can't say I didn't tell yous all Mikel would play if Matic couldn't. He was a controlling figure in the game for us I thought, when we had the ball he kept it and moved it well in comparison to Cesc who had a bit of a weird day with some poor passes and a poor completion rate for him if I remember correctly.