mikel obi, AWOL ?

[johnmikelobi]

strangely he is yet to join the rest of the team in training, i heard he had some visa issues in Nigeria( he didn't realize on time that his visa was expiring), there lies my concern for this kid, it's going to be hard enough to get some playing time to start with, now he is yet to start pre-season. you will think he'll be more prudent with his affairs after all he went thru. that is the nigerian factor my friend.

[nicephoras]

There's news about this - he has to get his documentation because his agent (Shittu) was tied up finalizing Yobo's contract. I don't think Mikel was in shape yet anyway, not having played for a full year. If he's as good as so many say he is, this won't affect him much, especially at his age.

[johnmikelobi]

actually, he played in feb @ the nations cup. i rate this kid highly and i want to see him do good, with all the hype and the hooplah about his transfer, i just don't like reading any more non footy issues about him, otherwise he's going to start rubbing people off the wrong way. won't be an ideal way to start a career.

good kid though, i met him in nigeria last year, very humble.

[CL_2004]

He will show up fashionably late in proper Nigerian fashion. This kid is another JJ Okocha and has got talent. Just those off the field factors need to go(girlfriend, shopping, playboy lifestyle, procrastination).

[Clan]

Babayaro was the exact same when we first signed him.

When he was away from the team, it was always hit and miss as to when he would show up again.

[BridgeMonkee]

The way Obi has set his career up so far he is either going to be one of the greatest flops in the history of the sport, or he is going to be a real sensation.
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I have seen the lad play a few times and I have a feeling that it is going to be the latter. I think he could be a huge sensation (I just have a feeling about the lad). Time will tell.

[okocha1]

He will show up fashionably late in proper Nigerian fashion. This kid is another JJ Okocha and has got talent. Just those off the field factors need to go(girlfriend, shopping, playboy lifestyle, procrastination).

What exactly are you talking about? He missed his visa, and now he has a "playboy lifestyle" and he is "fashionably late in proper Nigerian fashion." What do you mean?

The way Obi has set his career up so far he is either going to be one of the greatest flops in the history of the sport, or he is going to be a real sensation.
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I have seen the lad play a few times and I have a feeling that it is going to be the latter. I think he could be a huge sensation (I just have a feeling about the lad). Time will tell.

I don't think he will be a flop. He has the talent and the work ethic, I think he just needs to fire Shittu, who has been the root of all of Mikel's problems.

[johnmikelobi]

i just hope he has a good head on his shoulder, he seriously need to get rid of this shittu dude, why should obi suffer( visa issues) because he(shittu) had to negotiate yobo's contract, what? he can't multi task or delegate? anyway, i don't think jose is too worried, fact of the matter is whenever he shows up he will surely take a place in the rear and try to work his way up from there. the boy is still a prospect, it's not as if he's a big name/proven player, at some point all this negativity/unreliability is gonna catch up with him.

i think he is going to a sensation as well, God knows we(nigeria) needs him to be. okocha and kanu are fading away, we need someone of reckon,playing at the highest level to remain significant.

[nicephoras]

Mikel certainly looked very good in the games I've seen - hopefully we can loan him to a smaller club for a season so that he can get a full year under his belt and be accustomed to the EPL. Its hard to see him getting a lot of games right away, especially since he's been in sporadic fitness. He clearly has the talent though.

[BridgeMonkee]

Mikel certainly looked very good in the games I've seen - hopefully we can loan him to a smaller club for a season so that he can get a full year under his belt and be accustomed to the EPL. Its hard to see him getting a lot of games right away, especially since he's been in sporadic fitness. He clearly has the talent though.

I dont think we should loan the lad out straight away (if at all). He must become acclimatized to the CFC way and the Jose way first. He needs the direct contact with the Chels coaching staff and the discipline that that will entail. After this initial season IF he needs more games and EPL experience then we should loan him out for a season.

[okocha1]

I agree. I think it will take him a few weeks to regain his fitness, as he looked a little plump in pics. But in terms of talent, he is good enough at his optimum to go straight into the 1st team. I think he, Kalou, Diarra, Jimmy Smith, and SWP will be the suprises of the season. Like I've said before, he is one of the most technically gifted players, I have evers seen, Ballack with the feet of Kanu.

Here's a clip of him and Taye Taiwo in action for during the World U-21 Youth Tourament 2005 that was held in Holland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDNw919LatI&search=nigeria

[Walter3000]

I agree. I think it will take him a few weeks to regain his fitness, as he looked a little plump in pics. But in terms of talent, he is good enough at his optimum to go straight into the 1st team. I think he, Kalou, Diarra, Jimmy Smith, and SWP will be the suprises of the season. Like I've said before, he is one of the most technically gifted players, I have evers seen, Ballack with the feet of Kanu.

Here's a clip of him and Taye Taiwo in action for during the World U-21 Youth Tourament 2005 that was held in Holland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDNw919LatI&search=nigeria
There's no way Smith gets playing time in our crowded midfield.

[okocha1]

ok maybe not Smith, but I'm sure will see some of him in the Carling Cup.

[Walter3000]

ok maybe not Smith, but I'm sure will see some of him in the Carling Cup.
Why?

If we actually played all of the backups, and I highly doubt that it would be Diarra, Essien, and Mikel, not Smith.

[okocha1]

I'm not sure I follow you. We will play Diarra, Mikel, and Essien in the Carling Cup, or not?

[Clan]

I wouldn't bet on the real fringe players playing in the league cup, tbh.

[okocha1]

Isn't the carling cup a tournie to blood youngsters though?

[srd....]

Isn't the carling cup a tournie to blood youngsters though?

early rounds are yeah but once you get to the business end of the tourney then more mature/experienced players are called for.

[nicephoras]

Isn't the carling cup a tournie to blood youngsters though?

Jose hasn't really used it that way.

[billyireland]

HA! You idiots. You unthinkable idiots fell for it. There was no John Obi Mikel[/i] - thanks for the money!

http://www.evilgerald.com/Issues/Issue4/Assets/ferguson.jpg
Sir Alex Ferguson: Evil Genius.

:p