Wishlist Wesley Sneijder

[LDN Blue 7,903]

ray wilkins wtf

LMAO! That's what I thought at first look!

[lionsden 4,689]

(Since we're still talking abt Mikel in the Sneijder topic )

I always felt it was weird that Mikel plays holding mid for us, when he plays/used to play a no. 10 role for Nigeria. He could have been used in the position behind two strikers when Carlo was trying the failed diamond formation. Think about it: quick short passes, and can hold the ball great with his strength. Cant shoot for nuts though....

Exactly mourinho stunted his football development by converting him into a DM. He was voted second best player at the U 17 tourney behind Messi in 2005 when he played as an attacking midfielder. His potential is not being maximized in that DM role and it's quite a shame.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Exactly mourinho stunted his football development by converting him into a DM. He was voted second best player at the U 17 tourney behind Messi in 2005 when he played as an attacking midfielder. His talent is not being maximised in that DM role and it's quite a shame.

The Nigeria coach told Mikel to leave us to rediscover that. Fergie was going to sign him for his attacking instinct too, then we stole him

[zolayes 14,489]

1-Because that's the most tactically wise thing to do in such a situation. when you are down, you need to score goals and to achieve that objective requires attacking minded players hence mikel, a defensive midfielder gets sacrificed for an attacking midfielder/winger or striker. that's the same reason why managers bring on DM's when the team is leading to keep things tight, protect the lead and secure a victory.

2- No Every single manager at Chelsea has played both players. it's usually Essien and Lamaprd in the midfield with Mikel obi in the holding role. do you care to reference the matches (big or small) where Mikel has been dropped to the bench to accommodate essien when both players were fit.

3- Viera and Roy Keane are well renowned for their reckless tendencies yet they are considered as some of the best DM's/players in premier league's history. By default DM's are suppose to make more tackles than any other players on the pitch bar defenders which increases their chances of copping yellow and red cards.

excellent analysis ...on the card issue ,,,Maka got his share of yellows ...commentators usually described them as taking one for the team ..

meaning a desperate situation needed a professional foul ...A tactic JT now often adopts

[eldo 868]

Exactly mourinho stunted his football development by converting him into a DM. He was voted second best player at the U 17 tourney behind Messi in 2005 when he played as an attacking midfielder. His potential is not being maximized in that DM role and it's quite a shame.

He developed physically much faster than others. He's not mobile enough for attacking midfielder.

[Henrique 9,133]

Mourinho, Hiddink and Ancelotti vs Henrique. I know whose opinion(s) about a player I value more.

The only player who worked with 3 and said something about it was Belletti, who said days ago that Hiddink was the best manager he worked with.

Checkmate.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

1-Because that's the most tactically wise thing to do in such a situation. when you are down, you need to score goals and to achieve that objective requires attacking minded players hence mikel, a defensive midfielder gets sacrificed for an attacking midfielder/winger or striker. that's the same reason why managers bring on DM's when the team is leading to keep things tight, protect the lead and secure a victory.

2- No Every single manager at Chelsea has played both players. it's usually Essien and Lamaprd in the midfield with Mikel obi in the holding role. do you care to reference the matches (big or small) where Mikel has been dropped to the bench to accommodate essien when both players were fit.

3- Viera and Roy Keane are well renowned for their reckless tendencies yet they are considered as some of the best DM's/players in premier league's history. By default DM's are suppose to make more tackles than any other players on the pitch bar defenders which increases their chances of copping yellow and red cards.

Now we are going really off topic...

1.I remember Essien or Ramires often being brought on for Mikel at HT.How do you comment that ?I'd say he is slow in transition,doesn't provide the pace that our play desperately requires(check last season).

2.It wasn't always both of them.Ballack-Essien-Lampard was our midfield for many seasons.Mikel was never the first choice because we don't have the possibility to play with holding midfielder since Makelele left.Obi was presented as a new Maka,but never proved it on the pitch.

2.He gets booked for a meaningless faul while Vieira gets a yellow card to prevent the opposition to create a quick counter-attack and score.

It all comes down to this:

Mikel or Essien ?

[Henrique 9,133]

Who made that assertion. You must have made that up yourself.

The FACT that Mikel has been used consistently by Mourinho,Guus and Ancelotti (3 world class managers) is a testament to his quality. perhaps henrique and other anti mikel knows something these managers don't

Wrooooooooooong. Mikel was not starting XI under Hiddink. Since Essien recovered from his injury, Mikel went to bench. The midfield was Ballack, Essien, Lampard.

The fact is that Mikel became a starting XI under Carlo and must because Ballack left.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Wrooooooooooong. Mikel was not starting XI under Hiddink. Since Essien recovered from his injury, Mikel went to bench. The midfield was Ballack, Essien, Lampard.

The fact is that Mikel became a starting XI under Carlo and must because Ballack left.

Well at that time, Essien was arguably the best DM in the world, so it was almost certain he would start.

Can't say the same thing now though.

[Henrique 9,133]

Well at that time, Essien was arguably the best DM in the world, so it was almost certain he would start.

Can't say the same thing now though.

Why do you say such a thing but want Lampard to be a starting XI after his poor season? Essien still can help us in many ways.

Its funny because some people say Carlo deserved to stay after his pathetic perform, but same people say Essien and Anelka are now garbage and should leave.

[zolayes 14,489]

Wrooooooooooong. Mikel was not starting XI under Hiddink. Since Essien recovered from his injury, Mikel went to bench. The midfield was Ballack, Essien, Lampard.

The fact is that Mikel became a starting XI under Carlo and must because Ballack left.

RUBBISH

the year before Carlo came 34 league appearances

the year previous 29 An ANC year

his first season 22

[lionsden 4,689]

He developed physically much faster than others. He's not mobile enough for attacking midfielder.

Zidane and Riquelme, two of the greatest attacking/creative midfielders of this generation were not particularly mobile neither. so what gives? If you have superior technical ability, lack of pace shouldn't be a factor. Btw I'm NOT comparing mikel to these legends. to avoid any misunderstanding.

[milllz 43]

This is the sneijder topic isnt it?..... Just checking

[Henrique 9,133]

RUBBISH

the year before Carlo came 34 league appearances

the year previous 29 An ANC year

his first season 22

RUBBISH

The year before Carlo came, aka the years Essien was injured most part of the season.

And most part of his appearances in previous years were as substitute, not as a starting XI.

[lionsden 4,689]

Wrooooooooooong. Mikel was not starting XI under Hiddink. Since Essien recovered from his injury, Mikel went to bench. The midfield was Ballack, Essien, Lampard.

The fact is that Mikel became a starting XI under Carlo and must because Ballack left.

Zolayes and superfrank have answered your question perfectly. nothing more to add

[Henrique 9,133]

Zolayes and superfrank have answered your question perfectly. nothing more to add

No, they haven't.

[lionsden 4,689]

RUBBISH

The year before Carlo came, aka the years Essien was injured most part of the season.

And most part of his appearances in previous years were as substitute, not as a starting XI.

But no one said Mikel is better than Essien in his prime. so what exactly is the basis for your argument?

I'm only objecting to your stance regarding Mikel being rubbish. He's one of the finest DM's in the premiership mate.

[Tortilla9 390]

This is the sneijder topic isnt it?..... Just checking

It's a Sneijder topic with a little Lampard/Essien/Mikel/Ramires thrown in to keep us on our toes.