If John Obi Mikel reports for pre-season training with
Chelsea, he will be starting his ninth season with the
club.
This would be a record that makes him the third
longest serving member of the current squad for next
season, behind only Petr Cech and John Terry.
Despite Chelsea fans having mixed opinions over the
talents and effectiveness of Mikel, he has shown a
robustness to adapt to the different squad roles that
managers have given him over the years.
This long service is a testament to a positive attitude,
particularly as in recent seasons he has featured in a
much more restricted role in the first team. Currently,
he is almost completely out of consideration for
Chelsea’s strongest XI when everyone is fit.
Mikel should be applauded for the way he has
accepted his role as part of the team, and his
acceptance of not starting regularly.
It is hard to believe that having been at Chelsea for so
long that Mikel is only 28 years old and about to enter
the peak period of his career.
Mikel has won practically everything you can in club
football, with only the European Super Cup and World
Club Cup medals missing from his collection. Given
this, it may be in his best interests to take a slight step
down in level to find regular first team football.
He is currently behind Nemanja Matic in the pecking
order at Stamford Bridge and may find his position
undermined by Kurt Zouma coming forward into a
more advanced role as well as the push for Mourinho
to develop young talent.
It could be argued that his squad role would be better
suited to a developing player rather than an
established one, although it is hard to beat Mikel’s
experience, which is probably why Mourinho did not
sell him last season.
In recent seasons he has been strongly linked to
teams in Turkey and other parts of Europe, yet he
would suit a mid-table Premier League team looking
to add some steel and experience to their midfield.
Mikel has played a huge part in Chelsea’s history, but
for his career it may now be time to be selfish and
look at other options.

that lazy fellow called Mikel, he will prefer to stay on the bench collecting salary than move to a club where he will have constant play.

And to think that this guy was the guy crying while standing side by side with Lionel Messi(who was And is STILL EVERLY SMILING)@ Holland 2005...... Someone should bring him back from time travel abeg. He should court Benitez or go to Italy and end it there.


He'l be feeling like "I still young now" abegi.Inter dey, Juve dey, Madrid and even Sevilla dey.he should JUST MOVVVVEEE!!!!

He's happy being a squad member

henribj:
that lazy fellow called Mikel, he will prefer to stay on the bench collecting salary than move to a club where he will have constant play.

Contrary to what you have just opined about Mikel being a lazy player, I'd like to say he's one play who works very HARD on the training pitch, LISTENS and THOROUGHLY carries out the instruction of any coach to the later.

Ever wondered why Mikel has survived and PLAYED under every other coach that has been at the helm of affairs at Chelsea (Post 2007)?

Agreed he should seek a move and get more playing time but that doesn't qualify Mikel as a lazy player, DEFINITELY NOT!!!

starlingbawa:


Contrary to what you have just opined about Mikel being a lazy player, I'd like to say he's one play who works very HARD on the training pitch, LISTENS and THOROUGHLY carries out the instruction of any coach to the later.

Ever wondered why Mikel has survived and PLAYED under every other coach that has been at the helm of affairs at Chelsea (Post 2007)?

Agreed he should seek a move and get more playing time but that doesn't qualify Mikel as a lazy player, DEFINITELY NOT!!!

Abegi...this guy has the talent to do a lot more than what he's been doing at Chelsea. He needs to redefine himself. Where is the Mikel who ran Spain (SPAIN!) ragged at the Confederations Cup? If he can play like that why the hell should he accept that anonymous, inconsequential role at Chelsea? Potentially Mikel is their BEST player, just like he was Nigeria's best player against Spain. He just seems more happy to sit back, play defensive midfield when he's allowed on the pitch, and pocket more money. He should be writing his name in gold somewhere. Money is not everything.

Except he takes a pay cut it's unlikely he'll move