I have nothing against the man as a person or even as a Chelsea player. Whilst i don't consider him to be a club legend. I don't consider him to be a failure.
Multiple Chelsea Managers saw enough of him to decide he was ok by them. He was never spectacular and before I saw him i have to be honest enough to say I was expecting something different to the player we got.
But i never questioned his effort. He didn't appear to be a moody player and he always tried to do the job the manager of Chelsea asked him to do. Munich being an excellent example.
You could easily argue better players got less medals. But in terms of medals. Mikel has quite an impressive CV.
Best of luck Mikel. I wasn't his biggest fan and i do agree it's time to move on. But i do respect him and his efforts and thank him for that alone.
Mikel - Did we get a fee?
posted on 6/1/17
Imagine Alonso is still here in 10 and a half year's time
posted on 6/1/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 6/1/17
Wonder what would have happened had Mikel gone to Man Utd instead as he so very nearly did before he came to Chelsea.
Seriously doubt he'd have been there for a decade like he has at Chelsea.
posted on 6/1/17
Not sure , he started his career as an attacking midfielder before Jose turned him into a defensive midfielder.
posted on 6/1/17
comment by Conte'nt (U20893)
posted 8 seconds ago
Not sure , he started his career as an attacking midfielder before Jose turned him into a defensive midfielder.
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Apparently so, yet even as a DM showed no sense of even passing the ball forward which all attacking mids can do.
posted on 6/1/17
For all the whining about Mikel - he never once complained or moaned about being a squad player. He may have had his limitations, but he has always been a fantastic professional. We have achieved so much during his years at the club, and he was an integral part of our success. He was never a star, but similarly he was never a prima dona like most players tend to be. I will always have respect for him, and wish him well on his new adventure to China.
posted on 6/1/17
I think he struggled during the past few years, he was always a solid Defensive midfield player, i dont why supporters started moaning because he always passed sidewise or slowed the play down. He always did that.
posted on 6/1/17
We'll probably buy him back when he becomes a star
posted on 6/1/17
A limited player but always gave his all for Chelsea and his performance with the magnificent gladiators of Munich was immense and can't be understated.
Good luck JOM!
posted on 6/1/17
comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 7 hours, 36 minutes ago
Wonder what would have happened had Mikel gone to Man Utd instead as he so very nearly did before he came to Chelsea.
Seriously doubt he'd have been there for a decade like he has at Chelsea.
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In fairness we've had a pretty weak midfield for a lot of that time, I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed almost as long TBH, maybe ending up with similar game time.
Although it's hard to know if he would have developed differently.