After Mikel John Obi left the Allianz Area pitch on that fateful night time in Munich in 2012, he was hailed by most for his man-of-the-match efficiency. Although he was not the official MOTM, it was straightforward to see why. He shielded a half-fit central defensive pairing of Gary Cahill and David Luiz in opposition to a rampant Bayern Munich and saved the German aspect quiet for probably the most a part of two hours on their very own patch. Just a few years prior, nevertheless, many Nigerian soccer followers couldn’t perceive how Mikel John Obi, a promising midfielder second solely to Lionel Messi in expertise, might have been pushed into such a defensive function.

From the day in 2005 when he first appeared in an outsized shirt sporting the quantity 9 jersey in Holland in the course of the U-20 World Cup till the top of his profession, Mikel John Obi was a participant who cut up opinions. Whereas many felt he was losing away in defensive midfield at Chelsea and blamed Jose Mourinho for stifling his progress, a number of others thought he was an ideal match for the function he needed to play.

Many followers fail to understand that within the 2005 WYC, Mikel performed in a double pivot with fellow future Tremendous Eagle Sani Kaita in midfield, however his expertise and technical means elevated him above the extent of his midfield companion and likewise his captain, Isaac Promise, who performed forward of them. The younger Mikel discovered the liberty to roam round and make issues occur on the ball whereas Kaita offered the muscle in midfield. Upon becoming a member of Chelsea in 2006, Mourinho put the Nigerian in the perfect place to utilise his abilities. Mikel might by no means arrive within the field to attain like Frank Lampard or cost down opponents everywhere in the pitch just like the bison Michael Essien. He didn’t have the qualities of Michael Ballack, both, on the ball, however none of those midfielders offered the qualities Mikel did.

Mourinho gave Mikel a accountability to display the defence able the place he might use his technical means to beat opponents and decide passes from deep, and his physicality to protect the ball. The place additionally helped him make up for his lack of athleticism as he was by no means the quickest on the ball. Regardless of taking part in most of his membership soccer on this function, Mikel by no means misplaced his means to play greater up the pitch as he confirmed in the course of the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup in opposition to the likes of Spain and Uruguay when he ran rings round their midfield. He got here near rising because the African Participant of the 12 months in 2013, with Yaya Toure narrowly beating him to the gong. Regardless of not having the aim and help numbers that make for fairly viewing on a participant’s stats sheet, he arguably deserved to be named CAF Participant of the 12 months in 2013.

Mikel managed to depart an indelible mark on soccer in England as Chelsea followers proceed to recollect him fondly. In 2022, 5 years after he left the membership, the followers unveiled a banner in his honour. Mikel John Obi is among the most embellished and profitable Nigerian gamers for membership and nation as he gained titles and accolades repeatedly.

Up till his retirement in 2022, Mikel John Obi was judged as a participant whose progress was stunted from a younger age, and plenty of failed to present him his flowers for his achievements. In actuality, the 35-year-old was one of many world’s finest defensive midfielders in his time. He loved a profitable profession at membership and worldwide stage and deserves to be celebrated for his genius. Mourinho teaching him to have higher defensive self-discipline elevated his sport means past what many admit or perceive.