Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has confirmed that Galatasaray have made him an offer.
"I'm very pleased with Galatasaray's offer," Mikel told Turkish newspaper, Sabah.
"I asked Drogba for advice and he told me that Istanbul is a fantastic city, that Galatasaray is a huge club and that I have to make the move.
"I have played at Chelsea for a long time and it's now time for me to leave.
"I'm still only 26 and it's great to receive an offer from a club [Galatasaray] playing Champions League football and doing well in the competition."
The Nigerian international also revealed he is open to a Galatasaray switch and that Chelsea are keen on letting him go.
Mikel said, "Talks have reached an advanced level between Chelsea and Galatasaray. Chelsea won't make the move difficult and regarding my salary there won't be a problem.
"All that is left is for the clubs to reach an agreement."
Mikel
posted on 20/6/13
Brummie a defensive midfielder is a central midfielder though.
Essien had already started to play DM a few times in the old 4-3-3 formation and had he not suffered his injuries I think he definitely would have played even more as a DM when we switched to a 4-2-3-1.
Let´s put it another way, do you think its more likely that Essien would have played instead of Mikel or instead of Lampard in the last couple of seasons that we´ve played in the 4-2-3-1 ?
posted on 20/6/13
Yes mate - but still not his position!!
Anyway, to be continued - I have a date with Stella!!
posted on 21/6/13
Brummie just out of interest if you dont see Essien playing at DM then where else do you see him playing next season ?
He wont play at right back and he wont play in the Lampard position in central midfield.
If we carry on with the same formation that we've been playing for the last two seasons then I dont see where else Essien can play apart from DM.
posted on 21/6/13
TBH Superb, as sad is it sounds, I think he's finished at top level football, I think he's had one serious injury to many.
I was at one of his comeback games at Molineaux a few seasons back and it was pitiful to watch him. I only see him as a squad player now to fill in, in case of emergency.
If Mikel did go I think we need to bring someone else in.
posted on 21/6/13
@ColinUdoh: Re those Mikel quotes. As far as I know, he's done just one interview in Brazil, at training in Salvador. Did not say that then #CFC
[...] in an SMS to KickOffNigeria.com, Mikel literally laughed off the quotes, saying 'Hahaha no I did not say that."
-Source: Colin Udoh, KICK OFF
Hope
posted on 21/6/13
It is not the first time the press have done this to Mikel.
posted on 21/6/13
Brummie I totally agree about Essien being finished as a top flight player however Jose will bring him back to Chelsea this summer.
posted on 21/6/13
I can still see essien being used in the cups. He is not totally finished but its sad what happened to what could of been one of the PLs best ever players.
posted on 21/6/13
Nick, without the injuries he have put the 'Who's the best PL midfield player, Gerrard or Lampard?' well and truly to bed.
Head and shoulders above either of them
posted on 21/6/13
True