The typical african midfielder is normally described as strong, powerful and a battering ram. A workaholic. Not too intelligent to be given the keys of a major team. More of a defensive than an offensive player. A stereotype of which the Essiens and the Sunday Olisehs have thrived but which has frustrated others. Probably in a hurry; probably he couldnt spell well, but during the preparation of the FIFA U-17 tournament in Finland in 2003, a Nigerian FA official submitted his name Michael as Mikel and John Michael Nchekwube Obinna will announce himself as John Obi Mikel on the global scene. He will go on to have a stellar junior career, winning the silver boot at the 2005 FIFA U-20 tournament in Holland behind a certain Lionel Messi and sparking a bidding war between Chelsea and Manchester United for his signature. At Chelsea, he would be curiously stuck in a defensive midfield position in the Makelele position, left to be cleaning the mess of others. A far cry from the many admirers of his game who saw in his advent, the second coming of the Maestro Jay Jay Okocha. True he will win trophies, true he will have some good years, but always as the side chick, never the conductor. Always in a position different from what he grew up playing. A decision which has markedly affected his Nigerian career making him one of the poorer players in the Nigerian midfield during the just ended World Cup. With just 11 appearances for Chelsea last season, Mourinho made great attempts to offload him. Both Milan clubs will however turn him down. With a reinforced Chelsea midfield, Obi Mikel is looking more than ever as the odd man out. At 27 years old and reaching his prime, he should have been that number 10 of whom poetry should have been written based on promise shown as a youth but having lived a football career as neither fish nor fowl, neither defensive or offensive playmaker, the man Lionel Messi left behind, John Obi Mikel now joins the likes of Lauren Etame, Kwadwo Asamoah and countless other African players whom Europeans simply dont believe are intelligent or creative enough to be playmakers of the beautiful game.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 12:12:15 +0000