Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi seems to be desperate to erase the major blemish in his profile. In the past few weeks, Mikel has demonstrated the desire to score, joining the attack severally especially during set pieces.
In 251 appearances for Chelsea since 2006, Mikel has only scored twice
and in fact, the two goals were scored in the FA Cup in his first year
at the club.
Since playing his first match for the Super Eagles in a friendly match against Libya in 2005, Mikel has only scored three times.
The first was against Zimbabwe in the 2006 Nations Cup, the second
followed two years later against Benin Republic in the 2008 edition
while the final one did not come until four years after, a penalty that
contributed to the 6-1 defeat of toothless Liberia in the final 2013
Nations Cup qualifier last month.
In the Chelsea team, Mikel is the only midfielder that has no goal to
his credit in the past five years. In fact, most defenders in the team
have scored goals. Defender Branislav Ivanovic joined the club in 2008
and already, he has scored 11 goals. The season, the Serbian has netted
three goals in the Premier League.
Since joining the club in 2006, left back Ashley Cole has scored seven
league goals, one of them recorded this season. Brazilian defender
David Luiz has spent just two years at the club and already, he has
scored four times.
Central defender Gary Cahill joined the club last season and he quickly
made his influence felt by coming to the club’s rescue many times by
scoring decisive goals. He has seven goals already and has netted five
this season.
23-year-old defender Ryan Bertrand, who signed a new deal with the club
in September scored against Manchester City in the Community Shield and
added another in the League Cup.
Captain John Terry returned from suspension on Sunday and scored
against Liverpool just before he was injured and pulled out. The goal
was his 50th strike for the club he joined in 1995.
The inability of Obi to score in six years may not be a great sin
because he is solely used in the defensive role but with the statistic
showing that more than 95 per cent of Chelsea players have goals to
their credit, there is a psychological imbalance on the part of the
Nigerian.
Perhaps Chelsea’s style of play and the template Mikel met when Jose
Mourinho was the club coach are responsible for the player’s lack of
desire for strikes.
Specific players are handed strict instruction on the role to play in
the team and for so many years, successive Chelsea coaches have used
Mikel as the major shield between the defence and the midfield. His
ability to mark effectively is a feature Chelsea have exploited
positively but it also cut him off the position to make a daring move
to score goals.
Mikel did not start football as a defensive midfielder. Under coach
Samson Siasia in 2005, Mikel was the Flying Eagles anchor. He decided
how the attack is launched and wields so much influence in the team.
But after joining Chelsea under Mourinho, his appearance was limited to
the defence border line, and while the likes of Terry and Luiz
regularly join the attack in the post-Mourinho era, Mikel prefers to
play according to the rule.
But aside the instruction, Mikel has not demonstrated the skill to take
on opposing players and the technical expertise to pick up loose balls.
His shot at goal is particularly low and his confidence on the ball
seems to wane as soon as he has it because he releases it so quickly.
But the desperation he has shown lately is evidence that Mikel is
anxiously looking for goals. Against Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions
League, he scored a header which was disallowed as Chelsea came from
behind to win 3-2.
During the disappointing 1-1 with Liverpool two weeks ago, he was
unlucky not to score as he gradually freed himself for the stationary
defensive position. His presence in the box has increased and it may
not be long for him to be celebrated rather than joining the
celebration all the time. Maybe the coming of new coach Rafael Benitez
will give Mikel the opportunity he needs to join the attack more often.
OLUFEMI ATOYEBI
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