John Mikel Obi has defended his World Cup
performance, claiming he tried to play for the team
rather than seek glory.

The Chelsea midfielder continues to be the brunt of criticism following what has been widely perceived as a disappointing World Cup display, but the 27 year-old claims he is being unfairly criticized.

"I tried to do my best to work hard for the team.
We play together and nobody wants to be a
Maradona because in our team, everybody has to
play for each other," Mikel told KickOffNigeria.com
exclusively.

"All I wanted to do was work hard for the team and
not to look for glory, but people don't see that.
"You don't always have to dribble everybody to
help the team. And the coach knows that I was
doing my best."

Mikel admitted that his game fell short of the
standards he set at the Confederation Cup last
year, but says there was a slight change in styles.

"The Confederations Cup was a learning
experience for us, and I think I was a little more
forward there, but now I had to do more work for
the team.

http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/mobile/news/47223/nigerias-john-mikel-obi-defends-world-cup-performance

Mikel played well.Yes but for a number 10, he was zero.
Well i coach a monkey post team in warri and am hoping Mourinho sells him to me for just 3 keg of palmwine,2 calabash of kolanut and 1 crate of kunu

Even if he didn't play well, the criticism is too much. I believe he did his best, though his best was not good enough. We've lost the past cup already, let's prepare and look forward to 2018.

He would have been better as goal keeper

mygee33: He would have been better as goal keeper

lol.. Nigeria could have conceed more.

khattab02: lol.. Nigeria could have conceed more.

lol..,the scores would have been like this with mikel's own goals as majority....
against argentina 75-2
against bosnia 22-1
against france 54-0
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.we thank God for Enyeama

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Making frontpage for the 2nd tym...hmmm....not bad.

He used to be a good player. Dunno what really happened to him.

He would have been better as one of the camera men capturing the slow-motion shots.

He has a point too.

DEFEND MY FOOT. MTCHEEEEEEEEEEW.


He should just keep his rotten mouth shut to avoid spiritual slap.

Knowledgeable response

If it ever cross Mikel's mind to improve,then he should seriously consider leaving Chelsea for a team that will improve him all round and maybe start from the basics again because even defensively he is not good enough,he is too slow on the ball,not effective in the team and makes costly mistakes,just like a short-one on the pitch however he has won everything win-able with Chelsea and how do you expect him to improve having won everything,let him face a new challenge somewhere else and leave his comfort zone but so far he is still in Chelsea his football career still remain f*ucked......#storms out

`Yeah, he played really well with his shell.
Infact, I'm surprised no body could break his shell in the 4 games he played. We should name him our new captain.

Who cares?? Actually, in one word.... He flopped!

He really tried to play.....










like a pregnant man

OK we've heard,but your best was not good enough.

That face you give when u watch Mikel speak just the way he plays.

Wish Mikel didnt play at that Worldcup.If truly he played for the team,was he instructed to be as slow as snail?Anyway,take it or leave,he is still out best option in the mildfield.We just lack options at the worldcup and blame Keshi for that.

ok

We dont need his explaination...the world cup is over....he shd focus on retaining his jersey @ chelsea.....

He did what he had to do... but he's best is as good as zero.

Mikel is an OK player but he is not hungry for GLORY. He is too layback

Did you mean Snail ObI?

Playing for the team my nyash! Peeps like Robben, Muller, Sweinstneigger and Messi played against their team!

Sluggish ba'st'ard!

He played rubbish!!!

You would av played for personal glory, b.cos your 'playing as a team' mentality didn't work out for you

Mikel. Pls, just be on the attack for once. You played defensively during d world cup and u re still defending ur defensive role. Pls attack ur performance and become an attacker/striker. Maybe just Swap ur jersey.

Young man stop talking bulls*hit, no one asks you to be a Maradona or to dribble everyone, all the fans demand is a playmaker who can coordinate the team.

Show experience, and exercise good judgement on the ball like a true no 10. Go watch clips of jay jay, you will understand his mastery or better still look at Andre Pirlo.