Obi Mikel Made To Pay For Past Mistakes?

Earlier this week, it was reported that Jon Obi Mikel was in negotiations with Chelsea over an improved contract.

As far as I’m concerned, that’s a smart move on Chelsea’s part.

Despite having been in and out of the side in previous seasons, playing second fiddle to older, more experienced players, this season, Michael Essien’s absence has seen the 21 thrust into the vacated Makelele role. And personally, I’d say he’s done a really good job.

Now, I realise Mikel’s been no angel in the past, and I’ve often questioned his attitude both under Mourinho when even making it to training on time appeared too much to ask and under Avram Grant when his temperament continued to raise eyebrows.

 

However, I think the responsibility he’s been given this season has seen a more mature Mikel, so I was quite surprised to read some derogatory remarks about him on the strength of the Roma game.

 

Remarks such as “his head is still not quite right on the pitch” and “still has some growing up to do”, because of one dodgy performance? Is that really justified?

 

Well the apparent rationale for these comments is because he made a mistake or two, and it is therefore suggested “he cannot give the ball away as easily or react as rashly as he did in last night’s humbling by Roma. Diving in as he did after chasing back before the Italian’s third goal  smacked of desperation.”

 

Firstly, of course Mikel still has a way to go in order to become the finished article, he is after all still only 21 and secondly, of course he looked desperate, we were getting battered out there. Given a choice between him bottling it whilst players simply ran past him, or committing himself to tackles at the risk of the odd rash one creeping in, I know what I’d rather have seen on Tuesday night.

 

I can’t help thinking after reading negative remarks about Mikel that he’s still being made to pay for past mistakes.