Writer: Merlin 
Date:Wednesday November 4 2009
Time: 4:31PM
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Chelsea - Mikel Set to Return!
Our mini-injury crisis that saw Ashley Cole, Yuri Zhirkov, Jose Bosingwa and John Obi Mikel sidelined, seems to be abating slightly.
Ashley Cole made a welcome return last night, against Atletico Madrid and John Obi Mikel is hopeful that he`ll be back in the frame to be considered for selection this weekend when Manchester United arrive in SW6.
As my co-editors reported Mikel (Nigeria) and Zhirkov (Russia) have both been called up by their national coaches ahead of crucial World Cup games, whether Zhirkov will play any part in Russia`s two legged play-off remains to be seen.
However, in the clamour for African teams to make the 2010 World Cup, John Obi Mikel is keen to play his part in assisting Nigeria.
Now, as we all know, the relations between Mikel and those that pull the strings at international level have been a bit fraught to say the least, however, whilst talking about a proposed comeback this weekend, Mikel seems keen to do his bit for his country, remarking,
"I am also looking forward to helping Nigeria."
"It is very important for us to win. We all have to work hard and simply pray that the result favours us."
With Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Michael Essien already having booked flights to South Africa with the Ivory Coast and Ghana respectively, it`d be good to see the Africa contingent at 2010, increased to include John Obi Mikel wouldn`t it!
Your Comments
He wasnt even missed!!
blueKnightz09
Yeah, he's a bit of a bad boy with the Nigerian FA. And they play him as an CAM, not a CDM. :-D
JT_daniel
Nigeria have got a bit of a mountain to climb in their last group game against Kenya. Tunisia are two points ahead of them with one game remaining, and only the group winners progresses. Glad to see Mikel close to a return from his injury, although I can't see him getting anywhere near a start on Sunday.
daspecial1
He would start in the Carling cup, I suppose
vetri
Interesting to see both Mikel and Zhirkov taking part in full trianing today!
merlin
He's 21 and he can improve
Moussa
moussa, if he cant shoot at goal,even at 21 he aint gonna get much better. cant shoot ,cant tackle, a liability, waste of time!
springy
He can tackle springy. He is better than when he would get sent off. He is a better passer of the ball.
Seabourch
He has got time on his side.
blueKnightz09
Can't see him breaking in to the first team if we keep playing the way we have been, certainly a positive in terms of depth to have him back though.
Osgood_Spirit
chelsea have turned mikel into a one dimensional DM. he used to be a good player going forward and creating things and is still an attacking player for Nigeria. He just seems to pass sideways and backwards towards his own goal when he plays for chelsea and seems afraid to venture too far into the opponents half - unlike the man machine Essien
eddy_theeel
seabourch,he cant tackle,he's a liability when he does!! i can pass a ball 5 yards to your foot coz thats all he does. i dont see many 30/40 yard diagonals like lamps does!!
springy
Mikel is a better passer of the ball, and has positional discipline. He lacks race, though. He needs to have better ball winning ability and venture up front once in a while. It would be better to try him in the right of midfield. It will be interesting to see what he can do there
timextrader
A bit like Kalou this guy. Just doesn't seem good enough. His passing isn't brilliant, his tackling isn't brilliant, he offers nothing going forward, when he does pass it is best kep sideways or backwards, he doesn'g have great stamina. Point is......What does he bring? Stength alone is not enough, and if you said, 'who like him in the league is there?' then just look at young Jack Rodwell and Fellani, both of whom I think are already better. He won't be missed.
aslaram
timextrader better passer of the ball than who? he takes the mantle passed down from ray wilkins...the crab!
springy
aslaram, agree mate, he does not bring anything to the table!!
springy
I really don't understand you guys. If you really are true chelsea supporters, you will never criticize or attack a player that plays for you team. We should support and respect Chelsea's decision to buy and keep the player. Mikel to me is outstanding and one of the best players to watch out for in the world. @Osgood, springy, please come up with something better next time. I missed him and i'm sure a lot more pple did. Lamps. Essien, Ballack and Belleti will envy him as he's got a lot of time to surpass their achievements.
teepie
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