Mourinho, Ancelotti and three other real coaches who disagree with Oliseh’s take on Mikel

Sunday Oliseh’s assertion about John Mikel Obi’s defensive and offensive abilities is not suitable judging by statements manufactured by his former professionals.

The former Super Eagles manager in an job interview on Athlst mentioned John Mikel Obi lacked the characteristics to play as an offensive midfielder and could only be a beneficial defensive midfielder.

Sunday Oliseh who has been without a club because he was sacked in 2018 by Dutch club Fortuna Sittard mentioned Mikel Obi didn’t have any high-quality an real offensive midfielder ought to possess.

“He’s a participant who’s carried out some very good with Chelsea. But when you converse about playing as an offensive midfielder, he’s not an offensive midfielder.

“My gentleman here appreciates I’m blunt to say sure matters.

“Offensive midfielders have particular qualities and he doesn’t have any of them. As regards a defensive midfielder, I consider he’s useful but I won’t enjoy him.

“I’ll enjoy Ndidi simply because a defensive midfielder’s get the job done is- you have to win balls without having making fouls, you have to be really great at aerial balls. You have to have some regulate by supporting other people,” Oliseh explained.

Even though Sunday Oliseh is entitled to his view these statements are significantly from the fact and distinctive from the professionals who saw him on everyday foundation explained about him.

Excellent coaches this kind of as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Guus Hiddink differed as they regarded John Mikel Obi as a lot more than a practical defensive midfielder.

Jose Mourinho in Mikel in April 2007: “He is a genius in his position. It is a miracle if he loses the ball.”

Guus Hiddink on Mikel Obi in 2016: “If the group is not prepared to protect well or have the right harmony then you concede a large amount of ambitions. I assumed John Obi can be a single of the important figures in having the equilibrium back. On major of that, the talented players can then discover their attributes.

“He can get well the radar. He understands the video game very very well. He is familiar with exactly where the toughness of the opponent is and he is aware specifically how to cope with that. He has a very good eye, a very very good nose, and a very great perception of in which to recover.

“He does not do it in a incredibly brutal way – he’s incredibly, really elegant. What I like to see very a lot is not just a excellent player but a player who can defend so easily. It is stunning to see. He does not eliminate quite a few balls, he’s fantastic in small passing. I don’t assume and I do not check with him to make the decisive last move. He can but no, we allow the other players do that.”

Carlo Ancelotti on Mikel Obi in July 2009: “I have a good deal of believe in in Mikel, I think he can be the playmaker of this group. He is a youthful participant but has excellent good quality, the two technical and tactical.

“For the existing and for the foreseeable future, he is a incredibly important participant for us. We are very content he has signed a new contract and I hope that he stays at Chelsea for a great deal of several years.

“I would like that he places in his excellent high quality for the crew.”

Other supervisors these as Luiz Felipe Scolari, Rafael Benitez, and Roberto Di Matteo who received big titles such as FIFA Planet Cup, the Champions League, and UEFA Cup also have distinct thoughts from Sunday Oliseh.

Luiz Felipe Scolari on Mikel: “I understood he would be a major part of my workforce.

“With Claude Makelele leaving I was certain Mikel could be the player to participate in in his position in the foreseeable future.

“When Makelele was right here he was the a single enjoying since he was the much more seasoned participant. But now is the time for Mikel. I constantly decide on him.

“If we do not give him the likelihood to play how will he get the expertise? He’s experienced maybe 20 video games for me and played 18 very nicely.

“He’s so young, only 21, and has uncovered a great deal with Makelele and Michael Essien, who’s injured at the second.

“He seems to be like he belongs in the position, is aware a lot more about his posture, and is a far more seasoned player.

“Mikel is like a ton of African gamers who have what all coaches want which is electric power but also a type in which they are at ease with the ball, can management it, and dribble with it.”

Roberto Di Matteo on Mikel Obi: “I never consider John [Mikel Obi] gets the credit for the work he does for the crew,” Di Matteo explained.

“His teammates and the administration staff recognize and appreciate it, but maybe the followers are extra focused on the a lot more resourceful players and goal scorers, but that part is crucial in our staff.

“Over the several years he has been almost ever-current, and he has been quite critical about the back again stop of last time and this time he begun in fantastic kind.

“He has a thankless endeavor really, and I recognize mainly because I performed in that position myself a tiny bit throughout my vocation.

“He and the player together with him will need to have a good comprehending and interaction, so that we usually have just one of the two powering the ball who is able to supply an outlet for us, to swap enjoy, and also be the initial player contemplating about if we shed the ball. Our crew desires business in front of the defense,” Di Matteo extra.

He started out in all four FA Cup finals he gained (2006–07, 2008–09, 2009-10, 2011–12), performed in a single out of the two League Cup finals he gained (2006-07 and 2014-15), performed 120 minutes in the 2012 Champions League accomplishment.

He was wounded and did not perform any element in the 2013 Europa Cup closing.

John Mikel Obi who Sunday Oliseh considered a ‘useful defensive midfielder’ played in the part of some of the most thriving managers throughout his time at Chelsea.

As an offensive midfielder, John Obi Mikel showed what he was capable of at the 2005 FIFA Earth Youth Championship and in a lot of game titles for the Super Eagles.

He was outstanding at the 2013 AFCON and played fantastic offensive football at the Confederation Cup in video games against Uruguay and versus mighty Spain who experienced Xavi, Iniesta, Busquet, and co in their ranks.

John Obi Mikel was not an Austin Okocha but he delivered in the offensive role although taking part in for the Tremendous Eagles.

Sunday Oliseh like each and every other particular person is entitled to their thoughts but sometimes it is great to be factual and with no sentiment or bias.