I know we all bash Mikel for his inability to pass forward sometimes (even I have) but after watching the AFCON and the Confederations Cup could we play a 3-man midfield and have it benefit Mikel and others in the team?
The Evidence
If you have watched any of Nigeria’s games you would see that Mikel is one of the main playmakers in the team, this is due to his freed up defensive duties as there are 3 of them in centre midfield. This enables him to move forward, he is big and strong causing some players it to be difficult to stop him. If you watched him vs Spain on Sunday you would of seen it took 3 Spanish players to out-muscle him, only Ramos and Busquets where able to stop him once by themselves each in a strength contest.
Also with him going forward, he is a threat because of his height. Time and again teams had trouble marking him, as he was tall, he scores goals as well! Mikel’s last goal for Chelsea was over 4years ago, his last goal for Nigeria was against Uruguay last week with a well taken weak footed shot, he has now scored 4goals for Nigeria in 50appearance’s that is not bad for a player in a Defensive centre midfield position on an international level. Also playing with 3 CM’s Mikel seems to suddenly become more alive and not his usual timid, quiet self. He turns into a great player, and can pass forward! With even a few long passes.
If we Changed to a 3 man Centre Midfield
If we did change formation, what would this mean? We would possible need more CM’s or just bring up some youth players in the team, we would need more box-to-box players to help with attack and defence. It could possible suit Ramires and Lampard more as both are not the best players for the pivot role but they do their best every game. We would be stronger in the middle of the park meaning we could break attacks down sooner, with more cover being given to the defence one area we where not very strong at last season. We didn’t let in as many goals but teams did carve us open very quickly and if it wasn’t mainly for Cech’s heroic’s we would have been a lot worse off. If we go down the 3 man midfield route we would have to sacrifice one of our 3 Amigos unless Oscar played a deeper role but stilled linked up with them which I think would not be a bad thing what so ever as I think that could become his role of linking the defence and attack. Out of the starting 3 of Hazard, Mata and Oscar I can see Oscar being the most likely on to be dropped into a deeper role or to the bench.
When Mourinho was at Chelsea last time his team was built on a rock solid Midfield 3 but recently since Mou’s time at Real where he played their 4-2-3-1 we would have to wait and see what formation he went with.
If we stick with the pivot
If we went with the pivot I think we could bring in one defensive midfielder but thats only if Romeu does go on Loan. If he doesn’t I believe we have the resources to cover that position well and not have to buy anyone to bring in. With the players we have I think we can excel I would just like to try Romeu and Mikel in the Pivot together as I think it could work really well for them and they could create a great partnership.
I think we could bring in a youth player and have 5players challenging for those two spots I think it could be time to look at integrating McEachran into the first team as he is a player who could take over Lampard’s place when he retires. Ramires would be great with either Romeu or Mikel I believe so he is fine. I think Ake would be good to have as a 5th Centre back as that is his natural position even though he has barely played there this season but I can see him there in the future.
Using the Pivot though does mean Mikel won’t have the little bit of freedom so I am unsure what will happen.
Verdict
I think if we played in a 3-man midfield Mikel would play better instantly however if we played the Pivot I don’t think we would see the player that we would see for Nigeria. He is good and I know I criticize him a lot but when I watch him for Nigeria I am truly impressed at how he plays.
Do you think a change in formation would help Mikel?
22 thoughts on “Would playing a 3-man midfield unlock Mikel’s true potential?”
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We are suporters in ghana we want mikel should leave from the club this season please.
What bullshit.. dont get your Ghana vs Nigeria attitude to our club… We are Chelsea.. Every player is judged by his performances and not his race/religion and all that crap. Better keep it fair.
yes, true chelsea fans are hate mikel…
mikel is shit
I see u have zero football knowledge.
Well.. I think the 4-3-3 formation is good for Chelsea or even a 4-1-4-1.. anyways I dont think formation matters as far as Mikel is concerned. Its the role that he will play that matters.. get rid of his def responsibilities and he will flourish. .
Mikel trives when he plays with freedom but he lack that in the Chelsea team, as for the Ghanian moarning Essien would leave before Mikel that i can assure you.
Mourinho should be blamed for Mikel’s playing pattern, Mikel was second to Messi in under 21 world cup tournament but Mourinho converted him to Defensive Midfielder from Attacking Midfielder! Mikel is very creative, attacking and strong on ball and also wish he can be given a free role to play at Chelsea to enable us see how good he is.
Sentiments apart, I was at the Confederations cup and i got a chance to interview Mikel. He has the pace and strenght any coach wishes but i dont see Mikel Parting Positions next seson. Also,Ghanians should stop using sentiments because Essien’s place is kind of ‘Covered’ by Mikel that does not mean you should criticize him. Let’s just wait and see what Mou will come up with.
mikel does not have pace full stop.
but his pretty good as a squad player if we do bring in another CMD
Well said evryone, we could with spot on points not rotten sentiments
Oh Mikel, bros u too much. I don’t think there is a need for formation change, what is need is the trust of the manager. With discipline and trust we can have two defensive mildfielders that joins the attack alternately. As for the Ghanian go hug transformer.
I belive dat wil help chelsea next season if we change formation
When u listen to an avarage Ghananian talking, you will spot one thing: madness. Essien was one of my best and i can never condemn him, but as of now, Mikel is better
Gud dat u’v brought dis Mikel’s issue up. My opinion is when he’s in Chelsea he plays to instruction I.e. Pass 2 attackers..and I also think he’s scared of d stick he’ll get frm his fellow players if he attacks and looses d ball! Mourinho shuld give him confidence by telling him to attack when he sees fit instead of passing back (thinking if dey give d ball away I won’t b blamed). When he plays for Nigeria, he shows what he’s got by believing in himself and the manager’s instruction dat he shuld attack. Let’s keep d pivot role going but give Mikel a boost frm our manager and players! Mikel’s got d attacking talents and can read d game..so he shuld b allowed to attack when he sees fit! Dis is my opinion!!!
Ghana man……why are u introducing your useless Ghanian mentality into CFC…thank God you are not white, you would have hated blacks with passion……..(CFC no Tribalism no racism)
i like your write up you have a a sharp memory messi,mikel and di maria was the best players during there under 21 world cup tournament. Mikel can play more than that i assure you that next season. Thanks bro.
mourinho is in best position to determine the formation for chelseafc. there is something in which mourinho saw in mikel before he change his position but was unable to accomplished before He left so lets be patience and see what will happen this season.
chelsea 4 life
Thank for this write up. Thou i ask you people to write about Obi’S performance at the confederation’s cup. I want his position changed. He is much better than any offensive MF in the world but the potential was killed. Thank God he still got the miracle on his feet. He can unluck any defence with pass. Give him the number ten position and free mind to work. We will beat hell out of any team. He’s not selfish, his mind is to work for the progress of the team.
Plz Mikel should not be sold plz relay ds message to CFC main page THANKS and @ least thank God we are starting to celebrate wat we have ,cos if we sell him we will miss him
I am impressed when I watch Mikel play in the Nigerian team, but when he plays for chelsea i criticize him alot, I see your point with the 4-3-3 formation favouring Mikel but I also think the Leadership role he has in the nigerian team helps his game.. I do not see who would cover for mikel if he becomes free to run forward in the chelsea team, and personally i tink Oscar is light weight not enough stamina but good ball sense
I wish mikel leave us to another premier club on loan just to miss him small because we don’t value his work. Mikel is play to instuction but some of us want him to attack when is told to defend. Why mikel did well in Nigeria colour? Some will say is because his given attacking option. They are right at angle they view it, but to me is not only that. If u trully follow Nigeria u will see when ever Mikel is with ball most of other midfelder will hold for him. Is that happen in chelsea when expecially if we need goal even cech can go out to help others and mikel will not go because he know anything can happen. Look at spain match how many midfielder did they had in that match? Ask yourself and see how Nigeria manage. Please team love not passional love. Blue is the colour.
Realistically speaking,i do criticize mikel in evry game he’s played in last session,but,watching Mikel doing those things in Conf Cup gave me d notion that how a manager’s instruction can change the potency of a player in a team.Formation or no Formation,player can always exhibit their attacking prowess (Yaya nd Barry in the pivot).Mou is in the best position to bring out the best in evry player which he had constantly promised since he signd.Mikel won’t b an exception of course.What i’ll assure you is that there hav never been and there will not be any deadwood in Mou squad come nxt season.Evry players will b playing to their max potential i bet u.We’re in the Special and Happy hand.We’ll be fine.Carefree