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 score 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 player 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. Againt 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 free 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.
Punch Nigeria
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