Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel played a role in keeping Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign alive by helping his side beat Madagascar 2-0 on Sunday. The Super Eagles are currently three points behind Guinea in Group B and will host them in the final qualification game next month.
The 24-year-old played in a more advanced midfield position than he does for Chelsea and looked more comfortable, he looked sharp, was a threaten on Madagascar’s goal and showed how useful he can be from set-pieces.
Mikel had a handful of shots on goal and forced the goalkeeper to make a few saves and helped his side break the deadlock after his corner found Joseph Yobo in the 68th minute. Mikel also went close a few times himself with a couple of free-kicks.
Since his arrival at Chelsea as a teenager, Mikel has mostly been used as a defensive midfielder and despite his critics, it’s a job that he does fairly well as he effectively uses his size to shield the ball, is economic with his passing and has the tactical awareness to drop in deep when a defender makes a break from the back.
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Chelsea have been criticised by the way they have used Mikel, who was once seen as a more offensive talent and was voted the second best player at the 2005 FIFA World Championships behind Lionel Messi in 2005. Samson Siasa, Nigeria coach, has criticised the way the Blues have used Mikel and would prefer to see the midfielder once again become the player he once knew and thinks that Chelsea’s system is detrimental to his natural talent as an offensively minded player.
At the very least I wouldn’t mind seeing Mikel, or anyone else for that matter, given a look-in when it comes to corner kicks as I’m quite bored of seeing Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda take it in turns to find the first man.
Should Andre Villas-Boas aim to be getting more from Mikel than what he is offering the team already?
the likes of M.essien and Y.toure all played Dm 4 their clubs and they played Attacking midfield 4 their country, mikel shld conc on improving his game in Dm role he currently played.
Most ppl hu hav’nt watched mikel b4 shuld’nt talk. He’s a talented player endowed wit playmaking abilities. If chelsea spoiled him, i think they shuld repair him
the only time the lad took a set-piece play, under Mr Scolari in a home game against Man United, his effort found the head of unmarked Kalou and that was how we pulled level after Rooney had put the visitors ahead. Who says he cannot do that regularly? Am so sick and tired of sein the tired and weak legs Frank and Flo waste our set-plays.
Yes,it is true.AVB should try Mikel as an attacking midfielder instead of chasing Modric&I think He will be a good replacement for Lampard.
Is there anything thesendender can do to speak with avb concerning this article…pls do something
Mikel is a good player and he thinks faster than lampard, d few time he was given i free role in chelsea he made gud use of them, i’ll infer that AVB should try me for straight 4 matches and see his improvement
It’ll be better lampard start from d bench while Mikel take his role just like hw Giggs do come in 2nd half for Man u last season, we need someone with young blood so AVB should let Mikel know hw important that role his to chelsea i bet u mikel will rates has one of d best in d world. Chelsea till i DIE
Yeah defo. He shud replace that old cart horse lumpard, who incidently needs 2 be sent 2 the knacker’s yard el pronto! He’s effectively getting in the way of other players development!!
Doesn’t matter if it’s right or wrong, nothing will change.
I’m just going to jump on the bandwagon and live in ignorant bliss, so think we should continue to build the entire team around two players that are past their prime.
Super Frank has 50+ years left in him, right?