Special Request

Hello footytubers,

It is 5:32 in the morning and I can't sleep. My wisdom tooth has me tossing and turning in my bed, and I'm positive I will have a crap day at classes later. Nevertheless, I love you guys, and I love football. This blog-post is a special request via- Ayyam, who wanted me to bring up what's been bugging me for the past 3 years. John Obi Mikel.

Mikel John Obi, was born in...........Lol! This sounds way too much like an introduction to an essay. I'm just going to get to the point.

Long before Nigerian sensation, Austin Okocha (or better known as Jay Jay's) departure, Nigeria were already looking for a upcoming worthy successor who could fill the void of J.J. Then their prayers were answered as Mikel came into the scene. After a display at the 2003 Fifa Under 17 World Cup final in Finland, many Nigerians were saying, "we have found the new J.J."

Mikel played for the Fifa World Youth Championships when he was 18. Nigeria had a splendid youth team. Mikel played at the top of his game, he played so good, he led Nigeria to the finals where they lost to Argentina 2-1.

The little tike...

That's him, at the age of 18...Anything look strange on Mikel? I'll give you time....

You see the number on his jersey? It's number 10...You know what that means right?

MIKEL WAS A PLAYMAKER!

Which brings me to my point, in that youth competition, Mikel was ranked second best player of that competition, only behind...Guess who?

Funny comparing him to Mikel now right? 

If you guessed Messi, you were right and I'm sending a hi-5 over your direction.

His performance at just the age of 17, looks like a different Mikel doesn't it? 

 This performance sparked interest from many clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United. Later on in the year, when Mikel turned 18, Chelsea cheekily stole the prolific PLAYMAKER from Manchester United on deadline day. Making Sir Alex redder than his home jersey.

Mikel joined Chelsea in the midst of our success under the "Special One"'s reign. What would have been the signing of the decade, became the decline of the decade in my opinion. Jose, as stubborn as he is, insisted that he would rather play Mikel in front the back 4, changing him from an attacking midfielder to a defensive midfielder. His new role effectively stifled Mikel's attacking instincts.

Mikel never did improve under Jose Mourinho. After his sacking the same pattern continued with Mr. Grant, Mr. Scolari, Mr. Hiddink, and Mr. Ancelotti. This is where Mikel is somewhat at fault (can't blame Jose for messing up his career totally). Mikel failed to use his initiative with the change in managers to let them know of his original playing style. He seemed content where he was told to play. Nowadays, his game has become so predictable, he's become second rate at Chelsea.

He has failed to make an impact on the current Nigerian team who is under new management. Rumors are they have given up on Mikel in attacking midfield and are looking for someone else. Former Nigerian manager had this to say about Mikel:

"Mikel is not the same player that I knew in 2005 when we finished second behind Argentina in the U-20 World Cup. He has lost the creativity that catapulted him to the world stage six years ago. Don’t get me wrong here, I am not saying that he is no longer a good player. But what I am saying is that there is a need to see Mikel get to the goal area of the opponents and shoot more"

While Mikel does have some good games as CDM, the shadows of him possibly being as good as Messi still dawn on me. With a little guidance and belief, we could've had one of the best. Now that we are going through a new era at Chelsea (evidently) under AvB, Mikel has struggled to take a firm grasp on the first team shirt.

Mikel is 24 now, and still has many years ahead of him until he departs from football. It needs to start with Mikel and his need to achieve self-actualization. He needs to know what position is best for him, and how he should assert himself onto AvB. The next step to resurgence is for the managers to know what kind of potential they have in Mikel and try and remold him. He's still young and has a lot to learn.

Thanks for reading. 


Peace, love and respect


-Ohmz

Can you spot whats wrong?

Ah, Surely this was AVB's fault? As I am a bandwagoner, and blame everything wrong at Chelsea on AVB.

Hint: Its not a player

-Ayyam

A little bit of positiveness after the game.

Greetings fellow Blues.

Anyone else suffering from a 3-3 hangover? I sure am.

This post isn't about our dramatic encounter with 12 man Manchester United. This is a post about Ivory Coast and their blistering form, more specifically, Drogba's blistering form.

Ivory Coast saw off Equatorial Guinea 3-0 with a Drogba brace Drogba's- I mean Ivory Coasts domination of Equatorial Guinea.

Looking at this link, doesn't it remind you of the Drogba from 2009-2010? The same guy who scored 27 goals for Chelsea? The unstoppable force? The Drogba?! It sure does to me. I hope he and the whole of Ivory Coast win the ACON, so he can transit some of him form into Chelsea.

Did anyone think that at 3-1 up yesterday, a Drogba introduction to the field would surely have finished them off?

If your answer is yes, then we should probably be friends..

Let's keep hope in Drogs and his way to ACON glory.

Thanks for reading.


Peace, love and respect. 


-Ohmz

The Loan Report: January 31 – February 5

Kevin De Bruyne - He started for Rc Genk game against Anderlecht on Saturday where he had a quite game by his standards.

Thibaut Courtois - He continues to impress in 2012 as he recorded his  fifth consecutive clean sheet for Atletico Madrid in their 0-0 draw with Valencia on Sunday.

Gael Kakuta - He was an unused substitute for Dijon who went down 2-1 at home to Valenciennes on Saturday. 

Jeffrey Bruma - He was absent from Hamburg’s 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich  on Saturday after picking up a minor injury during training earlier in the week.

Josh McEachran - He was on the bench for Swansea City game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Patrick van Aanholt - He made his first start for Vitesse Arnhem game against NAC Breda on Saturday.

Tomas Kalas - He started for Vitesse Arnhem game against  NAC Breda on Saturday. He helped them record a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory.

Milan Lalkovic and Kenneth Omeruo - Neither of them was able to make their debuts for  ADO Den Haag this weekend because their game against AZ Alkmaar was postponed.

Ulises Dávila - He has played 90 minutes of football  for Vitesse Arnhem game against Groningen on Monday night where they lost 4-0.

Rhys Taylor - He didn't play any football for Rotherham this weekend because their game against Torquay United was postponed.

Matej Delac - He was on the bench for Ceske Budejovice’s latest  friendly game against Red Bull Salzburg on Saturday where they lost  4-1 to them.

-Sham

Chelsea vs Man Utd Player Ratings

Cech - A very nice display from the man in the helmet, Made two fine saves, just before the half, which kept us in the game. Unfortunate he didn't save either two penalties, But to be fair, They shouldn't have been penalties in the first place. 7.5

Bosingwa - Was supposed to get skinned alive today by Valencia, but actually put on one of his best defensive displays this season, And was decent going forward, The lad still needs to work on his crossing. 7.0

Cahill - A very decent debut. He kept Utd's offense quiet for most of the game, despite clipping Welbeck in the first 10 minutes of the game. Other wise he looked solid with Luiz. 7.0

Luiz - Unfortunately he will probably be remembered for not marking Hernandez, But that was his only mistake in a flawless game from him. Amazing going forward, and a rock in defense, His passion was undeniable as usual. Amazing game from the center back, despite the costly error. 8.0

Ivanovic - His usual rock solid self. Contained Giggs and Evra for the most part, Nothing special going forward, But when you have a team like United built on wing play, We need a defensive fullback first and foremost. 7.0

Meireles - Improved vastly from the Swansea game, Had a very balanced game, and worked amazingly well with Essien. Still, his set-pieces are still horrendous, and he should have put us up with a fantastic opportunity. None the less was good in controlling the midfield, with Essien. He lost it as the game went on, and with the introduction of Scholes. 6.5 (I have been giving out too many 7s :P)

Essien - This is Essien we have all been yearning for a year now. You couldn't tell this lad was layed-off for half a year, and this was his first start this season. He controlled the midfield like a bison from the beginning till the end. If he keeps this up, He will surely be a starter.  8.5

Sturridge - Was always a threat, But still needs to be less selfish. Was constantly marauding Evra the whole game. Had a decent game, But I have seen him, and he could do better, Especially if Drogba was there. (He seems to not like Torres). He should have also not complained after getting subbed off. 7.0.

Mata - Amazing as always. The most creative player by a mile. Putting in some deadly balls, and never stopped running. Surely, he is a contender for Player of the Season. 9.0

Malouda - Anonymous going forward, But average tracking back. I barely saw him, that said, I prefer this Malouda to what we saw against Swansea, and was considerably less selfish. 6.0

Torres - His usual self, High work ethic, was one of the most selfless players on the team, and got a few goal scoring oppurtunites. Unfortunately he still lacks the strikers confidence, and was to hesitant shots wise. The man needs to man up, and start taking shots, I understand where he is coming from, confidence wise. 7.0

So there you have it, My player ratings, Maybe too optimistic, and alot of 7.0s, But it is how I saw the game :)

- Ayyam

Chelsea v Man Utd to go ahead, despite snow

The Club's official twitter have announced the game against Manchester United will go ahead today, despite scares last night the snow will force the fixture to be rescheduled -

- Theo

Footytuber's Works - Ethio1989's Promo

As I stated in the intro for this blog, I will be posting works from several Chelsea footytubers. Whether it be posts, photo shopped pictures, or videos. If its half decent, It will end up here. 

The following is a promo for the Chelsea vs Man Utd game, to be shown on fox sports. Made by our own, Ethio1989. Its sweet and short.  Enjoy.