In what could be John Obi Mikel’s final year with Chelsea, it is time to recognise the achievements that the Nigerian has accomplished at Chelsea…

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, John Obi Mikel’s Chelsea future is looking increasingly unlikely to extend beyond next summer.

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He is yet to feature this season, and with Chelsea impressing each week – that looks unlikely to change going forward.

Mikel is often a player that is criticised for his lack of goals or his unexciting play style – but the Nigerian deserves far more credit for everything that he has done.

In fact, there is definitely an argument to be had that suggests that Mikel is the greatest African player to ever play for Chelsea – and that includes players like Didier Drogba.

With that said, here are 3 reasons why John Obi Mikel is the greatest African player in Chelsea history…

 Longevity

Behind John Terry, John Obi Mikel is Chelsea’s longest serving player.

Since joining the Blues in 2006, Mikel has made nearly 250 league appearances – which signals just how much of an impact he has had over such a long period of time.

This is particularly significant at a club like Chelsea, when you consider how many players and managers have come and gone over the years. Like Terry, Mikel is one of the very few remaining pieces of the puzzle – and he deserves far more credit for that.

 Trophies

When it comes to trophies, very few players in the world have won more than John Obi Mikel.

From the Champions League to the Europa League, from the FA Cup to the Premier League – Mikel has won it all.

An average player can win a few trophies by chance, but you don’t win the FA Cup 4 times by chance.

The simple fact of the matter is that Mikel has been a huge part of Chelsea’s success in recent years – and that should be focused upon more heavily.

 Reliability

John Obi Mikel has had a few special moments, but for the most part – he is an unspectacular player.

He won’t be scoring every week, or dribbling past players – but that is not his game.

What Mikel is is a reliable hand that can always be called upon to perform – and he has been that way for the best part of a decade.

Mikel very rarely ever has a bad game, and that has been his calling card over the last few years. When Chelsea have gone through a rough patch, managers have always turned to Mikel to deliver the goods.

Think back to last season under Hiddink, or more specifically Mikel’s heroics in Munich in 2012.

He has never complained, he has never moaned – unlike players like Drogba, he has consistently gotten on with his job and performed – and he deserves so much more credit.

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