The critics are constantly hoping that Mikel Obi will be dropped from Chelsea's line-up. So far,
that has not happened. Here, we will be monitoring Mikel's appearances in the 2012/2013 EPL season.

Date: Sunday August 19, 2012
Wigan 0 Chelsea 2
Scorers: Ivanovic, Lampard (Penalty)
Mikel Obi: Played full 90 Minutes.

Date: Wednesday August 22, 2012
Chelsea 4 Reading 2
Scorers: Lampard (Penalty), Cahill, Torres, Ivanovic
Mikel Obi: Played for 67 Minutes. Substituted by Daniel Sturridge.

Date: Saturday August 25, 2012
Chelsea 2 Newcastle 0
Scorers: Hazard (Penalty), Torres
Mikel Obi: Played full 90 Minutes.

In today's game against Reading, Mikel was substituted by Daniel Sturridge in the 67 minute
while Chelsea were down 2 - 1. For this substitution, there is no cause for alarm for Mikel
since RDM removed him for a striker. RDM usually makes this sort of substitution when Chelsea
is losing. Mikel should be worried whenever he is replaced by another midfielder eg Essien,
Meireless or Romeu who are all currently occupying the bench.