Will Chelsea duo ever unite the supporters?
While both part of successful Chelsea squads, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel have never quite managed to win over the entire Chelsea following. Both established members of the senior squad, they get plenty of games each season, and yet their performances still create a divide as fans oscillate in their opinion of them.
Kalou, now in his fifth season with the club, has consistently featured in a healthy amount of games. Although he is not a regular starter, he virtually always comes on should he start on the bench. He was getting games ahead of Joe Cole, and one of the reasons that the latter was getting less minutes on the pitch than he wanted. Kalou’s goal return is also useful, without being prolific. It is hard for a player that is not first choice to get regular goals, but Kalou has chipped in consistently (14, 12, 10, 12 in his last four seasons).
More importantly than the number of goals, is the importance of some of his strikes. Late equalisers at home to Spurs in FA Cup, and against Man United in the league spring to mind. As well as a goal, and two stonewall penalty claims, in last season’s quarter final with Inter.
Kalou has never been a first pick at Chelsea, and probably never will be, but he seems content with the role he plays. In the same way, Chelsea fans are content with his contribution: he’s not setting the league alight, but there is an awareness that he still has a great amount to give.
For Mikel, the situation is slightly different, and is about to get a little tougher. The Nigerian has been a certain starter since his graduation from Claude Makelele’s understudy. Chelsea fought hard to sign Mikel with the much publicised compensation paid to Manchester United, and they will ultimately feel that they did the right thing. In a team packed with stars, Mikel has little glamour to offer; he doesn’t have the passing range of his teammates, or the technical skill, but he is the best enforcer the club possess – better than Michael Essien. While Essien – who I believe to be the most complete midfielder in the league – is a far better footballer, he doesn’t have the rigid discipline that Mikel has, and in a midfield three, Mikel is better at simply sitting in, and protecting his backline.
Mikel’s place is now under threat. Before this season, the combination of Mikel, Essien and Lampard was a pretty straightforward pick for the midfield places. Now, with the arrival of Ramires, Chelsea have the option of a far more dynamic midfield. If Lampard and Essien were accompanied by Ramires, there would be a new dimension added. Whether Essien would move back, or Ramires would simply take Mikel’s role for himself (or even if they shared it through the course of a match), there would still be a more vibrant style of play on show.
Big games are always a good indication of how a manager thinks about his squad, and I still maintain that come the trip to Old Trafford, or on important European nights, Mikel will start. Ramires looks like he could be a very good player, and it is a signing that I’m excited about, but adapting to the Premiership will surely take time. He will however, believe that there is a chance he can make the position his own.
For both players, winning over all the fans that watch them play will almost be impossible. They are not maligned, or barraged with abuse, because they are still good players – we are not talking about sulking egomaniacs who can’t kick a ball. Their contribution to the squad and their lower profiles reflect the perception that fans have of them. Chelsea fans will never love them wholeheartedly because they don’t do what the likes of Drogba, Cole, and Lampard do. But if players that are the calibre of Kalou an Mikel are squad players (Mikel may be one soon), then it must be a very healthy squad to boast about.
Get updates on my articles by following me on twitter.
Football News 24/7
Have you seen Mikel play? He’s been one of the best players and most consistent performers in this young season. 96% pass completion and ever increasing in confidence.
Jon Obi did have problems though and poor form, the reason – Jose Mourinho.
Under the Mourinho tenure the young midfielder was labelled wrongly as a defensive midfielder because he is physically imposing.
He’s technically gifted and a passer, not a tackler. Scolari even realised this as did Hiddink and now Ancelotti, who sees the youngster as he should be seen, a deep lying midfielder more like a Pirlo than a Makelele.
I don’t think Mikel is struggling as basically everything Chelsea do comes through him. If there is a midfielder who will find things hard with the arrival of Ramires and form of Benayoun it is Frank Lampard, who is likely to have been phased out for England already.
Reply
great article..Mr. Luke Bradshaw…i think u r r8. we concede goal when mikel play in the holding midfield role…he is a simple passer like deschamp…plz remember cantona criticised him bcoz he only passed the ball to better player…his long range pass is very poor..cant tackle well..cant scored..creativity skill is also 0.. i think we should use him like fringe player than a squad player.. jack cork is a good player than mikel…our pb is makelele..he is the all tym best cdm player…and we consider mikel as his successor. well mikel cant succeed makelele…thats for sure
and then kalou…i must say that he scored cdrucial goals for us..u mentioned some of them and then the late equalizer against watford..but nowadays sturridge play better than kalou..he is very fast…so i think carlo should pick sturridge ahead of kalou
Reply
Ribs, you think Cork is a better player than Mikel? Haha I guess Matty Etherington is better than Lionel Messi and Gary Neville is a better player than Maicon too.
You guys are thinking of this so one dimensionally. Mikel is so much more than Makelele as he’s a passer, a midfield footballer and shouldn’t be judged on his tackling ability.
Are you seriously arguing that Ancelotti’s Chelsea can carry a passenger? I think a more reasoned argument would be Ancelotti’s use of midfielders like Mikel to control the game changes Jose’s old long ball side into a creative force who attack with pace, power and variety.
Reply
i think u didnt watch cork last season when he played at burnley
Reply
I agree with the writer. But kalou is better than Sturridge. But I agree with Ribs that Jack Cork is better than Mikel. If anyone say that Jose created problems for MIkel to adapt the games than i must say don’t watch football from now on.
Reply
No doubt that cork is better than mikel as a passer. he can also tackle well. he can play as a right back, central midfield, center defensive midfield. and his best ability is too hold the ball. he is an english which is good because he
Reply
You lot are crazy and your arguments are weak and based on throwaway opinions without reason.
- Cork is a fine player but will never make it at Chelse. Mikel already has plenty of Champions and Premier League experience at the tender age of 23.
- Mikel can’t pass? Already been said: 96% pass completion this far and did you see the great ball to Anelka against Wigan? – The myth that he can’t pass us debunked.
- Watch Mikel for Nigeria then tell me he is supposed to be a midfield enforcer. Mourinho wrongly labelled him as such. He is a big lad, but a complete waste as he is capable of more. It’s not an opinion, Jose played him out of position – fact. Did the same to Kalou, who is no winger.
- Player like Mikel and Kalou get a barrage of criticism for the most minor of mistakes, why were fans so patient with Joe Cole last season as he was abysmal? Lampard goes missing in games sometimes – no criticism. John Terry didn’t cover himself in glory at times last season.
…support your players. They are quality and I’m willing to bet the likes of Ancelotti know more than you do.
- Final point. I bet all of you wanted Malouda out of the club at one point, look at him now. Shame on you.
Reply
Sorry Luke, its an utter nonsense of an article, especially the Mikel part. You lost it completely by saying that Mikel does not posses the passing range and technicality. He is easily the best passer in the team. According to opta, he was the most accurate passer in the league last season, and this season also he heads the list with an amazing 96%. If you think, those passes were simple one yard passes, watch him closely and count the number of times he picks up Malouda or Cole at the left wing with an overhead ball. And yeah, have another look at the assist he made to Anelka against Wigan.
The arrival of Ramires means nothing to Mikel. Ramires in not a DM and he is not gonna challenge his place. May be Ramires can take the right sided midfield position and Essien can play the DM. But from what is seen so far this season, its highly unlikely. Mikel is the best player at that position, and I am glad that the manager knows it, unlike some of the biased or ignorant fans.
Reply
It’s best to watch the games and players before writing articles.
Reply