Mikel to sign new long term deal

[SamCFC 0]

Just heard it on SSN, will try to find the article in a second.

Quality news, been one of our best players this year and has really matured.

[EskWeston 696]

John Obi Mikel is set to agree a new contract at Chelsea, according to the player's agent. The 22-year-old has been a regular this season and, despite reports linking him with a move to Inter Milan, John Shittu claims the player is close to agreeing a new contract.

"We are discussing the renewal of the contract," Shittu said. "There has been interest from different clubs in Spain and Italy, not forgetting some big teams in England, but John will remain at Chelsea. For the time being his only concern is to ensure his position with the Blues and until he has done that he will go nowhere."

Source: Timesonline

Mikel is one player we really need to be looking at keeping as long as possible. He is a quality player and come on leaps and bounds this season and massively matured his game. It has been very harsh on him that the return of Essien has meant he has missed out on games. Personally i would have kept Mikel in the holding role and dropped Ballack to get Essien in the team going forward.

It is easy to forget his age a lot of the time, if he was at Arsenal he would be lauded as a sensational young talent, but here it is forgotten. To put in a little perspective, Mikel is 1 year older than Mancienne and yet we are so reluctant to play Mancienne because of his age

[Badboy 1,526]

People dont remember his age because of his ball control, ball keeping skills and his size. I think mikel and mancienne are different though esk, mikel has played premier league football now for 3 years. So really mikel is 3 years older in premiership experience terms.

Edited April 30, 2009 by Badboy

[EskWeston 696]

People dont remember his age because of his ball control, ball keeping skills and his size. I think mikel and mancienne are different though esk, mikel has played premier league football now for 3 years. So really mikel is 3 years older in premiership experience terms.

I agree and that was what i was saying. People use age as an excuse for not giving people a chance, but if given the chances they will improve leaps and bounds if they have the quality. Mikel has 3 years of premiership experience. Which shows 2 things:

1) Just how good Mikel is and how underestimated he is.

2) That it isn't always a risk playing younger players, as long as they have the talent. For example, Stoch is now 19 with bundles of talent. Where would he be at this point of the season if he had been given the minutes Mikel got in his first season? My guess would be that he would be a fan favorite right now.

It is also incredible because if we go back to before Mikel joined us he played very little football indeed, which at that age is something that can severely stunt the development of a young footballer.

[bombayblue™ 55]

I still think come end of season one of Riccy, Alex and Ivanovic will leave.. Mancienne will get his chance next season.. may be not a full first team regular but more than he's got this season..

I think what you're forgetting esk is, Mikel is a midfielder and Mancienne a defender..

A striker is judged on how many times he gets it right, a defender on how many times he gets it wrong.. As a DM mikel could get away with a few things, for all his yellows and reds.. he stayed on in the team.. as he had people like Terry and Carvalho to cover up for his mistakes.. if mancienne will be scrutinized far more seriously..

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Great news, deserves a contract after his consistent performances this season. Could be better than Makelele in the future.

[EskWeston 696]

Completely agree. Mikel is improving all the time and making himself un-droppable. I think it has been very harsh that he has been put aside since Essien has been back.

Mikel though is still one of those players that not all fans have taken to. I am not sure if it is a case of lack of appreciation to what he actually contributes or if they see his youth as a liability....

[Badboy 1,526]

Do you think he is being put aside so he can have a good rest he did play lots of games.

[EskWeston 696]

Do you think he is being put aside so he can have a good rest he did play lots of games.

I doubt it, a 22 year old does not need a rest! I just think that Hiddink fancied a midfield 3 of Essien, Ballack and Lampard. But as i have said already, i think that was the wrong choice, i would have dropped Ballack and kept Mikel. Especially considering Ballacks form this season....