I have always been critical of John Mikel Obi because I want him to be a better player than he is right now. I am one of those who think he should be scoring goals. I wanted him to be the new Jay Jay Okocha in our national team, the Super Eagles.
In 2005, John Obi Mikel, was one of the brightest talents in world football. The Chelsea FC midfielder won the silver Ball, awarded to the second best player of the FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament. Think about this, Mikel was only second to Lionel Messi in 2005! If I expect more from him now I don’t think I should be blamed. I thought he should be up there with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by now, but that’s yet to be seen.
The four –time FA Cup winner, having worked hard to earn his first XI role, he is still not regarded as one of the Chelsea team’s important player. It’s sad that most Chelsea fans don’t appreciate his contribution to the team. Mikel brings stability to Chelsea’s Defence and provide cover to clean up John Terry’s mess. Watch Chelsea’s games, you’ll notice Mikel is always needed in big games to stabilise their defence.
On the other hand I thought he would have been more beneficial to the National team had he continued his former role as an attacking midfielder. Mikel would have been the perfect replacement for the Former Captain Jay Jay Okocha in the National team because of his vision and awareness on and off the ball.
I thought Mikel has been the best Chelsea player in the last 3 years in the Defensive department on the pitch. He has been brilliant and fantastic in his role. He has every right to keep his head up. Chelsea fans should appreciate him for the defensive job he did on Lionel Messi in the UEFA Champions league Semi-final and of course for helping Chelsea in ‘parking bus in front of goal’ in the Final match against Bayern Munich. So why is Mikel’s efforts not always recognised? Is it because he is not a striker? Is it because he is an African player? I don’t know. It’s beyond me.
Why is he not being praised the way he should? Is technical and tactical ability is brilliant. He is intelligent. His awareness of the game is fantastic. His ability to shield the ball from opponents is second to none. He receives and passes the ball excellently, even when he’s under pressure. What more does anyone want from a defensive midfielder?
What annoys me most about Mikel is his inability to go forward with ball and confidently take a shot on goal. He should be scoring few goals. Getting goals in his name will undoubtedly increase his value, instead of creating chances for Frank Lampard. No one remembers the assists or the creator of the goals just few hours after the game, the goal scorer takes the glory forever and rightly so. The influence he had on the FA Cup 3rd round game against Derby County, when he headed home a corner-kick from Willian is what I want to see more of.
The recently held Glo/CAf award in Lagos, Nigeria, Mikel narrowly lost out to Yaya Toure, while the latter is more brilliant, influential and versatile Midfielder, I personally thought Mikel should have easily won the Player of the year award. Anyone could have a different opinion from mine, but, that’s how I see it. Congratulations to Yaya Toure, he deserves it though.
When I said Mikel should have won I didn’t say it because am a Nigerian. I said it based on my own opinion. In the last 20 months Mikel has won 3 important trophies, UEFA Champions league; African Cup of Nations and Europa Cup. That’s more than what Toure had won. Toure competed in the last African cup of Nations was defeated by Mikel. In fact Toure had won nothing in the last 18 months and yet he is considered the best player because of his individual quality!
I don’t think Mikel will dwell on it, he will think he has to improve and provide answers to every questions asked of him on the pitch. And as one of the most decorated African footballer, he should keep winning games and keep his head up. No reason to cry.
Olaitan Ajiboye wrote from London
Twitter: @Mayjorh
www.olaitanajiboye.com
The views expressed above are solely that of the writer and not necessarily that Omojuwa.com or its associates.
