The big Nigerian’s quality has always been in great
doubt owing to his inability to command regular
first team action with the Blues, how about his
unassailable trophy haul?
On Sunday evening, John Obi Mikel picked up his
ninth professional title in England as Chelsea lifted
the Premier League trophy at Stamford Bridge.
No other player in Nigeria’s football history has
generated so much attention in the international
market than Mikel. In fact, considering him as the
most successful Nigerian footballer of this era will
never be moot.
At a time when many had predicted his time was
up in west London, Hope – as his igbo name
‘Nchekwube’ implies, waxed stronger and kept
adding laurels to his trophy cabinet.
Truth be told, Nigeria has produced many brilliant
players over the years; the likes of Kanu Nwankwo,
Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi
and Finidi George. But perhaps none of these icons
have consistently the success that Mikel has whilst
featuring in Chelsea’s route to major honours.
In nine seasons with the Blues, Mikel has enjoyed
unparalleled success boasting of nine domestic
silverwares plus two on the big European stage. In
a season or two, chances are that he would
eclipse Kanu’s record of 13 (in club football), yet
his disparagers feel that his inability to tie down
regular first team action with the Pensioners
means that he should not be seen as one of
Africa's greatest exports to Europe.
Permit me to ask here that if ‘the Catalyst’ is as
bad as many suggest, why has he always won the
hearts of managers who have been employed and
thrown out of Stamford Bridge? Why has he not
been shipped out to other teams like others
considered as surplus to requirement in the Roman
Army?
Attesting to Obi’s eminence, former Nigeria
international Mutiu Adepoju told Goal that it would
be unfair and sheer a caustic exercise to tag him
as a swashbuckler who picks up medals from the
bench.
An overall record of one goal in 20 games for Jose
Mourinho’s men in an injury-plagued season may
not be great, but it is quite commendable, and a
tally of just two cautions is appalling for a man of
his purported brilliance in terms of defensive
ability.
But assertions made on purely a statistical basis
are often unwise, instead it’s his performance in
such games of importance which continue to fuel
the notion that he’s nothing more than a bully
who fails to deliver when pressure and expectation
is at its maximum.
There is no doubt that Mikel has often been the
man for the big occasion – his goal against
Sporting Lisbon is a perfect example. His strike
increased his side’s lead as they went ahead to
win 3-1 – and also ensured he was named man of
the match.
Benched by Mourinho in late 2014, injured on his
return and then Nemanja Matic in the pecking
order at the Bridge, even now Mikel is still
recovering his friable confidence.
The naysayers would always forget that aside his
defensive ability, he has been a fantastic asset
when it comes to ball passing. His successful pass
rate of 90.4 % in all competitions [ 87.5% in the
Champions League and 90.7% on the domestic
scene] is worthy of praise, especially when you
compare with Mourinho’s preferred option Matic’s
87.1%.
Let’s make no mistake about it, Mikel is a living
legend of the game and his never say die attitude
must be commended.
Any way it is looked at, his achievement is
prodigious – and remarkably it is getting better.
To suggest he is overprized is impertinent, naïve
and simply laughable.
Viva, Africa’s unsung hero

Did i hear say unsung haha just enter studio SING about mikel launch am we go buy the cd he will become song hero now. Its very easy

Marcelinho:
The big Nigerian’s quality has always been in great
doubt owing to his inability to command regular
first team action with the Blues, how about his
unassailable trophy haul?
On Sunday evening, John Obi Mikel picked up his
ninth professional title in England as Chelsea lifted
the Premier League trophy at Stamford Bridge.
No other player in Nigeria’s football history has
generated so much attention in the international
market than Mikel. In fact, considering him as the
most successful Nigerian footballer of this era will
never be moot.
At a time when many had predicted his time was
up in west London, Hope – as his igbo name
‘Nchekwube’ implies, waxed stronger and kept
adding laurels to his trophy cabinet.
Truth be told, Nigeria has produced many brilliant
players over the years; the likes of Kanu Nwankwo,
Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi
and Finidi George. But perhaps none of these icons
have consistently the success that Mikel has whilst
featuring in Chelsea’s route to major honours.
In nine seasons with the Blues, Mikel has enjoyed
unparalleled success boasting of nine domestic
silverwares plus two on the big European stage. In
a season or two, chances are that he would
eclipse Kanu’s record of 13 (in club football), yet
his disparagers feel that his inability to tie down
regular first team action with the Pensioners
means that he should not be seen as one of
Africa's greatest exports to Europe.
Permit me to ask here that if ‘the Catalyst’ is as
bad as many suggest, why has he always won the
hearts of managers who have been employed and
thrown out of Stamford Bridge? Why has he not
been shipped out to other teams like others
considered as surplus to requirement in the Roman
Army?
Attesting to Obi’s eminence, former Nigeria
international Mutiu Adepoju told Goal that it would
be unfair and sheer a caustic exercise to tag him
as a swashbuckler who picks up medals from the
bench.
An overall record of one goal in 20 games for Jose
Mourinho’s men in an injury-plagued season may
not be great, but it is quite commendable, and a
tally of just two cautions is appalling for a man of
his purported brilliance in terms of defensive
ability.
But assertions made on purely a statistical basis
are often unwise, instead it’s his performance in
such games of importance which continue to fuel
the notion that he’s nothing more than a bully
who fails to deliver when pressure and expectation
is at its maximum.
There is no doubt that Mikel has often been the
man for the big occasion – his goal against
Sporting Lisbon is a perfect example. His strike
increased his side’s lead as they went ahead to
win 3-1 – and also ensured he was named man of
the match.
Benched by Mourinho in late 2014, injured on his
return and then Nemanja Matic in the pecking
order at the Bridge, even now Mikel is still
recovering his friable confidence.
The naysayers would always forget that aside his
defensive ability, he has been a fantastic asset
when it comes to ball passing. His successful pass
rate of 90.4 % in all competitions [ 87.5% in the
Champions League and 90.7% on the domestic
scene] is worthy of praise, especially when you
compare with Mourinho’s preferred option Matic’s
87.1%.
Let’s make no mistake about it, Mikel is a living
legend of the game and his never say die attitude
must be commended.
Any way it is looked at, his achievement is
prodigious – and remarkably it is getting better.
To suggest he is overprized is impertinent, naïve
and simply laughable.
Viva, Africa’s unsung hero

According stats for 2014/15 season in the EPL

Mikel is not in the top 20

Pass completion (Cesc then Yaya Toure)
Touches (Cesc)
Chances created (Hazard then Cesc)
Tackles (Matic)
Shooting (Coutinho)
distance covered (Burley player)

omar22:


According stats for 2014/15 season in the EPL

Mikel is not in the top 20

Pass completion (Cesc then Yaya Toure)
Touches (Cesc)
Chances created (Hazard then Cesc)
Tackles (Matic)
Shooting (Coutinho)
distance covered (Burley player)

This is quite laughable! Mikel? The funniest part of your write-up is that he (mikel) "rises to big occassions" which occsasion?....and you then killed it by using lisbon match. He scored ONE goal against a UEFA grade C team in about 10yrs with chelsea and you call that "rising to the big occassions"! Pls never compare him with any of those you mentioned (kanu, Oliseh, Amokachi) cos he doesnt get anywhr near.
Its just like saying victor valdes is a greater goalkeeper than Vandersaar or buffon because he has more trophies than them. Its called "luck" my man. This is a player whose best was seen when he played under20! Hes remained an average player ever since and wll retire as one. In every team, thr are great players, ppl will never forget them. And their are 'others' among which ur hero (Mikel) belongs.

Marcelinho:
The big Nigerian’s quality has always been in great
doubt owing to his inability to command regular
first team action with the Blues, how about his
unassailable trophy haul?
On Sunday evening, John Obi Mikel picked up his
ninth professional title in England as Chelsea lifted
the Premier League trophy at Stamford Bridge.
No other player in Nigeria’s football history has
generated so much attention in the international
market than Mikel. In fact, considering him as the
most successful Nigerian footballer of this era will
never be moot.
At a time when many had predicted his time was
up in west London, Hope – as his igbo name
‘Nchekwube’ implies, waxed stronger and kept
adding laurels to his trophy cabinet.
Truth be told, Nigeria has produced many brilliant
players over the years; the likes of Kanu Nwankwo,
Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi
and Finidi George. But perhaps none of these icons
have consistently the success that Mikel has whilst
featuring in Chelsea’s route to major honours.
In nine seasons with the Blues, Mikel has enjoyed
unparalleled success boasting of nine domestic
silverwares plus two on the big European stage. In
a season or two, chances are that he would
eclipse Kanu’s record of 13 (in club football), yet
his disparagers feel that his inability to tie down
regular first team action with the Pensioners
means that he should not be seen as one of
Africa's greatest exports to Europe.
Permit me to ask here that if ‘the Catalyst’ is as
bad as many suggest, why has he always won the
hearts of managers who have been employed and
thrown out of Stamford Bridge? Why has he not
been shipped out to other teams like others
considered as surplus to requirement in the Roman
Army?
Attesting to Obi’s eminence, former Nigeria
international Mutiu Adepoju told Goal that it would
be unfair and sheer a caustic exercise to tag him
as a swashbuckler who picks up medals from the
bench.
An overall record of one goal in 20 games for Jose
Mourinho’s men in an injury-plagued season may
not be great, but it is quite commendable, and a
tally of just two cautions is appalling for a man of
his purported brilliance in terms of defensive
ability.
But assertions made on purely a statistical basis
are often unwise, instead it’s his performance in
such games of importance which continue to fuel
the notion that he’s nothing more than a bully
who fails to deliver when pressure and expectation
is at its maximum.
There is no doubt that Mikel has often been the
man for the big occasion – his goal against
Sporting Lisbon is a perfect example. His strike
increased his side’s lead as they went ahead to
win 3-1 – and also ensured he was named man of
the match.
Benched by Mourinho in late 2014, injured on his
return and then Nemanja Matic in the pecking
order at the Bridge, even now Mikel is still
recovering his friable confidence.
The naysayers would always forget that aside his
defensive ability, he has been a fantastic asset
when it comes to ball passing. His successful pass
rate of 90.4 % in all competitions [ 87.5% in the
Champions League and 90.7% on the domestic
scene] is worthy of praise, especially when you
compare with Mourinho’s preferred option Matic’s
87.1%.
Let’s make no mistake about it, Mikel is a living
legend of the game and his never say die attitude
must be commended.
Any way it is looked at, his achievement is
prodigious – and remarkably it is getting better.
To suggest he is overprized is impertinent, naïve
and simply laughable.
Viva, Africa’s unsung hero

This is quite laughable! Mikel? The funniest part of your write-up is that he (mikel) "rises to big occassions" which occsasion?....and you then killed it by using lisbon match. He scored ONE goal against a UEFA grade C team in about 10yrs with chelsea and you call that "rising to the big occassions"! Pls never compare him with any of those you mentioned (kanu, Oliseh, Amokachi) cos he doesnt get anywhr near.
Its just like saying victor valdes is a greater goalkeeper than Vandersaar or buffon because he has more trophies than them. Its called "luck" my man. This is a player whose best was seen when he played under20! Hes remained an average player ever since and wll retire as one. In every team, thr are great players, ppl will never forget them. And their are 'others' among which ur hero (Mikel) belongs.