Mikel, the midfield maestro

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Frankly, Mikel has been sublime.

Ancelotti has been encouraging him to play in a more attacking position now Essien has returned; the two of them alternating between the holding position and the 'behind-Lampard role' that was filled previously by Messrs Deco and Ballack.

And it's working. One of the two of them is always on the rampage; but whilst Essien got the goals on Saturday, Mikel has been the star of the season so far.

In the past he has frustrated Chelsea fans with his negative sideways passing; always slowing down the tempo of the game. Whilst his passing has always been excellent (Mikel had a higher pass completion rate last season than any other Chelsea player), he tended to hold up the play and make the 'safe' pass rather than the adventurous through-ball.

But that seems to have changed this season. Mikel was always an attacking player, but was moulded into a holding player by José Mourinho and Avram Grant as the successor to Claude Makelele. Initially though, he was let off the leash; his début against Levski Sofia saw him operating further up-field than even Frank Lampard.

But when Mourinho's experiment with the enigmatic Lassana Diarra failed, the strength and versatility of Mikel fell into his hands.

His transformation into the complete holding player has been slow, but for one so young he has so much intelligence and maturity. Mikel is always one of the first names on the team-sheet for Carlo Ancelotti when Chelsea are playing a 'big game' against the likes of Arsenal - much like how Darren Fletcher does for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Mikel is competent and reliable and rarely puts a foot wrong; just as long as he isn't running one-on-one with Craig Bellamy or Mirko Vucinic!

There has been a change in his play - only a subtle one, but a change nonetheless. And that is in his passing.

When he sees the opportunity, Mikel now makes the adventurous pass. He even takes on the odd shot; he had two decent efforts against West Ham, one of which left Rob Green's crossbar trembling. His pass out to Paulo Ferreira for the third Chelsea goal was instantaneous and inch-perfect, allowing the full-back to whip in the perfect ball for Essien to head home.

Ferreira will get the plaudits for the cross, but he barely had to break strike. Mikel's switch of play was glorious thanks to its simplicity. No 'over the top' pinpoint lob or a 60 yard switch-pass, simply spraying the ball majestically to the right flank in the same sort of style as the wonderful Paul Scholes.

But, unlike Scholes, Mikel can actually tackle.

His attacking intent this season was perhaps best shown with his glorious raking through-ball to Nicolas Anelka in Chelsea's 6-0 win at Wigan; Anelka's run spotted and the perfect pass executed to perfection. The finish was sublime but it was Mikel who was congratulated by his team-mates.

And against West Bromwich Albion on the opening day, he found himself inadvertently setting up Florent Malouda as his scrambled effort in the box after a Scott Carson fumble fell perfectly to the Frenchman who duly opened the scoring.

If Mikel keeps showing the same sort of intent, his 43-month wait for a goal will soon be over.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Absolutely spot on. I think it helps that he is part of a midfield that includes Essien or Ramires (or both) because Mikel has so many attributes, he is a strong, physical lad with a wonderful range of passing and a good reading of the game, unfortunately speed is not something he has been blessed with but with either of those two in the midfield, Mikel's lack of speed becomes less of an issue. I thought he suffered last season when playing as part of the Lampard, Ballack and Mikel trio because none of the three of them had the ability to chase around the middle of the pitch.

Im glad you refrenced his pass to Ferriera, it was inch perfect, very clever and went almost entirely unnoticed, had Scholes played the same pass we would never have heard the end of it from commentators looking to talk Scholes up at every opportunity.

Mikel has developed so much as a player and its showing this season, in a midfield where Ancelotti is accentuatuing his positives (and there are many of them) and hiding his negatives (speed), along with Malouda he has been our best player and while he will never get the plaudits he deserves, well at least some of us can see just how valuable he is.

[zolayes 14,489]

:goodpost: I have long been appreciative of Mikel but his progress over the last year has been outstanding . I think he is developing into

a truly world class mid fielder and of course he is still relatively young. A future captain and a Chelsea legend in the making perhaps..His withdrawal

from the World Cup rather than play carrying an injury demonstrated a maturity which will stand him and Chelsea in good stead in the future.

[magic weeds 446]

.

Ferreira will get the plaudits for the cross, but he barely had to break strike. Mikel's switch of play was glorious thanks to its simplicity. No 'over the top' pinpoint lob or a 60 yard switch-pass, simply spraying the ball majestically to the right flank in the same sort of style as the wonderful Paul Scholes.

But, unlike Scholes, Mikel can actually tackle.

I completely agree, since the beginning of the season, i have been comparing the two players and there is so much resemblance in their play.

I think Mikel is showing a lot of maturity now

[Kostas 1,468]

I concur with all the praise about Mikel,it will be interesting to see how he will fare against bigger boys but he was already good enough last year(bar the Inter games).

The fact that he managed to establish himself in a team with so many outstanding midfielders proves his quality.

If we're lucky he may develop into the next Pirlo,his passing range has been impressive for a while now.

Experience will only make him better.

[Badboy 1,526]

Obi mikel played in a champions league semi final against Liverpool AT ANFIELD at the age of 19, his ball keeping skills has always been exceptional. This year he has really added long passing to his game, which has created a few goals.

[- 25 - 167]

Agreed, he's been colossal so far this season, and I thought he was excellent last year aswell. Starting to make that £10m that we were made to hand out seem like peanuts.

[Madmax 9,219]

I've been saying it for ages now ... he's so unappreciated. Delighted that he's finally getting the praise that he deserves. If this is what he can be like at 23, think what a monster he'll be years down the line.

[5354 204]

He always get neglected by not only Chelsea fans or other clubs' fans.

[Styles 9,790]

His passing has always been very good and people are now finally starting to realise it. His composure and strength on the ball is incredible. One of the best young players in the world in my opinion. He doesn't get anywhere near the credit he deserves from most Chelsea fans let alone the neutrals.

[Steve 10,227]

Frankly, Mikel has been sublime.

Ancelotti has been encouraging him to play in a more attacking position now Essien has returned; the two of them alternating between the holding position and the 'behind-Lampard role' that was filled previously by Messrs Deco and Ballack.

And it's working. One of the two of them is always on the rampage; but whilst Essien got the goals on Saturday, Mikel has been the star of the season so far.

In the past he has frustrated Chelsea fans with his negative sideways passing; always slowing down the tempo of the game. Whilst his passing has always been excellent (Mikel had a higher pass completion rate last season than any other Chelsea player), he tended to hold up the play and make the 'safe' pass rather than the adventurous through-ball.

But that seems to have changed this season. Mikel was always an attacking player, but was moulded into a holding player by José Mourinho and Avram Grant as the successor to Claude Makelele. Initially though, he was let off the leash; his début against Levski Sofia saw him operating further up-field than even Frank Lampard.

But when Mourinho's experiment with the enigmatic Lassana Diarra failed, the strength and versatility of Mikel fell into his hands.

His transformation into the complete holding player has been slow, but for one so young he has so much intelligence and maturity. Mikel is always one of the first names on the team-sheet for Carlo Ancelotti when Chelsea are playing a 'big game' against the likes of Arsenal - much like how Darren Fletcher does for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Mikel is competent and reliable and rarely puts a foot wrong; just as long as he isn't running one-on-one with Craig Bellamy or Mirko Vucinic!

There has been a change in his play - only a subtle one, but a change nonetheless. And that is in his passing.

When he sees the opportunity, Mikel now makes the adventurous pass. He even takes on the odd shot; he had two decent efforts against West Ham, one of which left Rob Green's crossbar trembling. His pass out to Paulo Ferreira for the third Chelsea goal was instantaneous and inch-perfect, allowing the full-back to whip in the perfect ball for Essien to head home.

Ferreira will get the plaudits for the cross, but he barely had to break strike. Mikel's switch of play was glorious thanks to its simplicity. No 'over the top' pinpoint lob or a 60 yard switch-pass, simply spraying the ball majestically to the right flank in the same sort of style as the wonderful Paul Scholes.

But, unlike Scholes, Mikel can actually tackle.

His attacking intent this season was perhaps best shown with his glorious raking through-ball to Nicolas Anelka in Chelsea's 6-0 win at Wigan; Anelka's run spotted and the perfect pass executed to perfection. The finish was sublime but it was Mikel who was congratulated by his team-mates.

And against West Bromwich Albion on the opening day, he found himself inadvertently setting up Florent Malouda as his scrambled effort in the box after a Scott Carson fumble fell perfectly to the Frenchman who duly opened the scoring.

If Mikel keeps showing the same sort of intent, his 43-month wait for a goal will soon be over.

Could i of said it any better myself? No i couldn't!

[Clevemayer 764]

uhm...

what should i say? finally?

there are so many ppl that dont get what an player Mikel is, maybe its because they dont understand his role, he was absolutly outstanding this season, hope he keeps on like this, he'll be the best midfilder after the next 2 years, fingers crossed he dont get injured or anything else and his development goes on like over the past 2 yeras.

I was impressed by him the first time I saw him play... what a technichal gifted Player you can find it so rarly if a player is so tall like him, it has been more than once, when mikel was defending the ball against 3 opponent players, getting past them with his technique, and then passing the ball...

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I was once critical of Mikel, but over the last 12 months his stock has risen considerably. He's brilliant, in my honest opinion. Underrated by opposition fans as well, much like Makelele. A true Chelsea star, and a legend in the making.

[Badboy 1,526]

I really like the midfield of essien mikel and ramires, all three can close the space in front of the defense.

[BluesChick 1,260]

I think he has matured nicely and I am really enjoying watching him play!

[LDN Blue 7,903]

So just to put Mikel's brilliance in perspective so far for all you Mikel-haters, check this stat, published by SkySports

Passers Team Passes Accuracy

Scholes Man United 328 89%

Mikel Chelsea 327 91%

Essien Chelsea 314 91%

Yaya Touré Man City 294 88%

Fletcher Man United 279 87%

[EskWeston 696]

Mikel has had a storming season so far, real class in the midfield. Just when everyone assumed the arrival of Ramires would mean a reduced role for Mikel he comes out in the form of his life. He is maturing at the right time and to still be so young....

[Badboy 1,526]

Mikel has had a storming season so far, real class in the midfield. Just when everyone assumed the arrival of Ramires would mean a reduced role for Mikel he comes out in the form of his life. He is maturing at the right time and to still be so young....

Do you remember the way Drogba reacted to the sheva signing ? Mikel is reacting the same way, it just shows how competition is good to keep players on there toes !