Mikel back for Anfield

[Rambo 1,729]

John Obi Mikel has suffered a slight knee tear and the injured Chelsea midfielder has been ruled out for three weeks, missing the club's crucial end-of-season title run-in.Out: John Obi Mikel is sidelined for three weeks

The Nigeria international picked up the knock during the Blues' 2-1 defeat to Tottenham last weekend and scans showed he suffered a torn meniscus when he was replaced after just half an hour.

While the midfielder looks certain to miss title chasing Chelsea's crunch Barclays Premier League fixtures against Stoke, Liverpool and Wigan on the final day of the season, he could return in time for the FA Cup Final against Portsmouth with surgery not required.

Daily Mail: Mikel Out for season

[diskoviolente 425]

nightmare...it is a fucking nightmare. Even if Belletti, Deco or Ballack can play in that position i don´t feel any better...Mikel is a small and tiny version of Essien, but still a born holding midfielder...not like any of the others mentioned above.

[EskWeston 696]

Absolutely awful timing............

Not too sure who Ancelotti will go with to be honest but whoever it is will not do as good a job as Mikel, especially when we come to face Liverpool..

[Luke 60]

Looks like Belletti will be the natural stand in, or Ballack.

[DavidEU 2,023]

Mikel is a small and tiny version of Essien, but still a born holding midfielder...not like any of the others mentioned above.

Thats so wrong.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

So who is going to replace him, Ballack and Belletti are too slow and Deco doesn't have the strength.

[Term-X 7,891]

time for nemanja matic to shine.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

time for nemanja matic to shine.

Making him place in the last 3 crucial matches well may crush his confidence.

[Rambo 1,729]

I'd give the role to Ballack.

[Blueboy 14]

Ballack has the best physique and experience i think. Bad timing though -.-

[TIWATZ 64]

Mikel will be able to play against Liverpool! This is a direct quote from Ancelotti: "Mikel will be ready next week. It is only a little problem but he is not able to play Sunday"

[EskWeston 696]

Excellent news to have him back for the scousers......

think he will probably drop Ballack in there for the Stoke game

[We Hate Scouse 10,287]

Making him place in the last 3 crucial matches well may crush his confidence.

Giving him first team games may also give him the confidence to shine.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Giving him first team games may also give him the confidence to shine.

Imagine if he made a big slip up, like Mikel did against APOEL, could easily be the new Chelsea fan enemy no.1!

[We Hate Scouse 10,287]

Imagine if he made a big slip up, like Mikel did against APOEL, could easily be the new Chelsea fan enemy no.1!

Imagine if he scored..........It's easy enough to say this and that could happen, but Chelsea have to show confidence in younger players for them to get confidence. Do you really think he is getting anything from playing in the reserves week in week out? You can't make decisions on what could happen, he is going to have to learn sometime.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Giving Matic the role would be perfect if you want to build his confidence.

However, it simply won't happen. We need the strongest possible starting eleven, and that means Deco or Ballack at CDM.

[boshman 1,073]

He has played 2 (as far as i am aware) games for us and people are talking about playing Matic for 3 of the most crucial games we have had in years. We need experienced heads in this situation. People say... If you don't play him how is he ever going to learn. And i agree. But you don't play a player who has only played 2 first team games in 3 massive games. There is no point in playing any youngsters now. They will have to wait till next year. Then they can get their share of first team games and become experienced enough to play in these high pressure games. Playing them now could be suicidal.

On the Mikel thing. Great news that he is back for the Liverpool game. For Stoke i think we should use Ballack there. Experienced head, strong, good passer. Perfect for the situation.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Agreed. And without Terry, we're going to need someone tall and physical like Ballack to make up the numbers.