Stoke City manager Michael O’Neil has heaped plaudits on John Obi Mikel following hia Impressive display in the 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Mikel contributed to Tommy Smith’s second goal and was brilliant all though.
“Brilliant,” O’Neill said after the game.
“I thought he was brilliant. The (control and the) pass he plays for Rabbi Matondo in the first half too
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“I’ve just said to him in the dressing room that I hope we can get that player on loan from Chelsea again next season. Today I thought he looked every bit.
“You can see with performances like that why he was at Chelsea for such a length of time in his career. He’s been a top player who has won everything in the game.
“He’s been a brilliant signing. When we’re compact as a team we get the best of John. He’s very positive around the club, a lot of help for the young players and I’m delighted to have him.
Mikel, aged 34, joined Stoke as a free agent last summer after leaving Trabzonspor.
4 Comments
I will get mikel back to the Super Eagle even as ndidi replacement should I case of any casualty. A calm and collective midfielder.
Honestly Femi, if there is any of the retired three that if need be, be persuaded to return wherein its become very evident we surely need a reliable cover for ndidi, then that one has to be Mikel. Sh0uld that become possible, Mikel will be tasked any time he plays to just do it same way he did why at Chelsea under Mourinho; just sitting in front of the back four. This suggestion is born out of the fact that we are lacking in that defensive midfield position no doubt about it. Etebo, a very decent player but he is more of an attacking midfielder than defensive but presently struggling with first team football/proper fitness, Shehu, a very very good defensive midfielder but yet to prove himself big time in that position, Azubuike, who should have been the true heir apparent to that defensive midfield position, has been struggling with game time/fitness at his club. So with the situation of things, getting Mikel back might just do us a lot of good. Or maybe we should cast our search light on this player at K Beershot in belgium; Ryan Sanusi. Dont know much about his international commitment to Belgium but he is some decent defensive midfielder.
I welcome Mikel Coming back also… He is a top professional. I hope Rohr can still convince him… Mikel playing 90minutes still means his fitness is still top level… If Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi are still doing it for their national teams… Why not Mikel?
Just heard that kelechi nwakaili was named player of the month in the Spanish segunda league. All those who have been clamouring for his inclusion in the Super Eagles can take encouragement from the news that he is seen as a leader in alcoron due to his performance in helping them escape relegation (which they have not yet done). His parent club Huesca have been relegated back to the second division. I dont know what this will entail for the young Nigerian midfielder, but what I believe is the only way he will attract the attention of the national team coach is if he is consistently performing and ofcourse playing at a high leave.