Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has said the Blues are yet to find a replacement for John Obi Mikel.
Cole made the claim as a guest on Mikel’s podcast Obi One.
The 42-year-old was teammate with Mikel at Chelsea for four years (2006 to 2010) before the former England international joined Liverpool ahead of the 2010/11 season.
At Chelsea, both players won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield.
Reflecting on how Mikel ended up becoming an important player at Chelsea, Cole said:”There was a big furore because of the Manchester United connection, in the press it was like ‘did he sign for Manchester United’ Alex Ferguson was furious, Chelsea was fighting for him and I said to myself he must be a hell of a player. He must be unbelievable because everyone wanted him.
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“Coming to the club and choosing to play in the defensive position he had a harder job than anyone because he had to dislodge Claude Makelele. And Chelsea were very smart because they probably got John in thinking Makelele has to go in a few years and John’s going to come in and we saw the the career he went on to have, he was a top, top player.
“I played with Michael Carrick at West Ham as well and such players are not appreciated while you are there because they are just doing their job. All the little things on the pitch that need doing they did and like Makelele and Carrick it’s only when they are gone that you realize how good they are and I don’t think Chelsea have replaced him (Mikel).
Cole added: “So we’ve went Makelele, John Obi Mikel and I’m hoping Caicedo will be that guy but we need someone in that anchor.”
Mikel went on to help the Blues land a first UEFA Champions League title in 2012.
Also, he was part of the side that won the 2012/13 Europa League title.
However, the 2013 AFCON winner departed the club in 2017 and headed to China.
4 Comments
Even with the super eagles they have not been able to replace him… GENERAL ROAR tried grooming ndidi in that light but they k*lled the dream by sacking him….
Mikel was a unique and intelligent baller for Chelsea and Nigeria. Though we wanted him to excel to the potential he showed at U-20 World Cup, it wasn’t to be. But he went on to become Nigeria’s second most decorated footballer (behind the great Papilo). He won Afcon, Olympic Bronze and U-20 World Cup silver. Very accomplished player.
Joe Cole is right but Chelsea had Ngolo Kante (probably one of the best defensive midfielders ever) after Mikel though. While Mikel sat deep (giving shield to the back-4), Kante was sometimes a box-to-box DM.
Joe Cole knew of Kante before making that comment. Kante was a Ramires upgrade.We are talking about the Makalele role that would allow the centre backs of JT and Cahill to go attack set pieces without risk of conceding through counter.A role that shuts the game off even before the final wistle. Coaches tend to bring in defenders when they want to protect a lead or manage games. But with Mikel in that role, the game is often comfortably managed and even yield more goals at times.
With the super Eagles especially at 2013 AFCON, Mikel provided that steel shield ahead of very young inexperienced defenders in the shape of Omeruo and Oboabona while allowing Onazi to do the box to box stuff and breaking up opposition plays. Sunday MBA, though not creative enough was able to do the basic things correctly with the very best of Victor Moses and the strikers to get the job done. He retired too early.
HE IS ONLY SPECIAL & LUCKY IN TERMS OF TROPHY ACQUISITION. THERE IS NOTHING MUCH SPECIAL ON HIM ON THE FIELD. HE IS NOT CRUCIAL ON THE FIELD, CANNOT DICTATE THE PACE OF THE GAME LIKE M. ESSIEN, P.POGBA, NGOLO KANTE
** HE IS NOT A DEPENDABLE/CRUCIAL MIDFIELDERS. HE’S JUST A MANAGEABLE MIDFIELDERS.