At the U20 world youth championship in Holland 2005, Michael Obi, and Taiye Taiwo were runners up and second runners up to Lionel Messi. After four and half years, Lionel Messi wins world MVP award. But Mikel and Taiwo were no where to be found. Hence, am asking, what do you think is wrong?.

Well,

Taiwo plays in a position that hardly ever gets the recognition it deserves. That said Taiwo has excelled in his position and is without any doubt the best left-back in France and arguably one of the best in the world. He has however been taken back a bit (he doesn't make as many runs as he used to), but is still a class player and treated as such in France (best LB in France for 2 years running). Maybe he hasn't made stardom, but is widely respected. All that he is lacking is being bought up by a top European team.

The problem with Mikel is that he was molded into something else. He started as a creative midfielder and Chelsea has molded him into the glamourless role of DM (due to a trend in Europe to make African players DMs). That took out most of the creativity out of his game and built on his defensive and destructive abilities. Unless he moves higher up into midfield and gets a more Zidane-like role he will never be treated with the same respect. If he continues to be a DM he will be regarded highly, but never treated as a magician of football. At the moment his only hope to change the way he is perceived is the Nigerian national team.

There is hope,  just look at Essien and how he suddenly became the king of Chelsea,  when Essien plays Chelsea is the best team in the world. When he doesn't - they suck. He will definitely be in contention for Footballer of the Year in 2009/2010.

Mikel went to the wrong team and got pushed into the wrong position by the most defensive oriented coach that there can be. Taiwo plays in Marsaille which is not really in the spotlight. If he moves to a bigger and better team and increases his work ethic, he might get noticed again.

The problem with Nigerian players (apart from Osaze) is that they do not show any commitment towards their national team. Sometimes, without a platform at club level, players need their national teams to promote themselves. Unfortunately, these morons do not realise that. Do you think Ivory coast would be a force to be reckoned with if Drogba decides to turn up only when it suits him? The same with Essien in Ghana.

i just hope they will not mess up in the forth coming Nation`s cup.

Andre Uweh:

At the U20 world youth championship in Holland 2005, Michael Obi, and Taiye Taiwo were runners up and second runners up to Lionel Messi. After four and half years, Lionel Messi wins world MVP award. But Mikel and Taiwo were no where to be found. Hence, am asking, what do you think is wrong?.

When will you guys quit this line of analysis and allow mikel  and taye taiwo  be? Messi being mvp and so what?

Do you know that since the U-20 fifa competition started 32 years ago, only maradona and messi have won the mvp and moved on to be world footballer of the year?

Do know that  no player except  maradona and messi have won mvp at U-20 and progressed to make the fifa top 5 at the senior level?

Do you know that seidu keita was the mvp of nigeria 99 when xavi and ronaldinho did not even get a mere mention? will you now say keita is not doing well?

Abeg forget story.

Wrong team or not, wrong postition or not, they are both rubbish.

There you go, i have said it.

Mikel went to the wrong team and got pushed into the wrong position by the most defensive oriented coach that there can be. Taiwo plays in Marsaille which is not really in the spotlight. If he moves to a bigger and better team and increases his work ethic, he might get noticed again.

@Katsumoto ,
u are a very weak person. mikel went to the wrong team and taiwo needs to be in the spotlight. are u in anyway suggesting change of teams for the duo? have u ever stopped to ask urself how many nigerian players started with the above mentioned two and where are they now? have u ever asked urself if these guys are playing to please u or if they are complaining?
are u aware that they are both professional players who are doing their best to push hunger out of their lives and that of their families?
mikel has finished his first contract with chelsea and is into his second and what do u expect from such a young man.
in that tournament that messi was crowned best player, how many other players were there and how many of them are u hearing of today? is there any possibility that every player will end up being the fifa best player of the year?
if you are a man, why are u not the best player of the year or are u a disable person? in which area or areas of your life are u representing nigeria?
finally, if ur parents have the option of choosing between u and mikel today, do u think they will leave mikel for u?
mikel as we speak, is the dream of many mothers including urs yet u are here to confuss us on his being a failure.
brother seat back read through my lines again and retrace ur steps by given honour to thos honour is due.