This is one of the stranger transfer headlines I’ve read for a while: Arsenal have made Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel a shock summer transfer target. That’s according to Caughtoffside.com, who suggest that Roman Abramovich is looking to make wide-ranging changes to the Chelsea squad when the transfer window reopens and that Mikel could be one of the men on his way out at Stamford Bridge.
The Nigerian has been a mainstay for Chelsea over the last couple of years and it’s questionable whether the Blues would be willing to sell such an important player to a rival near the top of the table. Caughtoffside have mentioned a fee of “around £15 million”, which seems a rather arbitrary figure. Surely he’s worth more than that considering he’s one of the best passers in the Premier League and is a regular starter in a demanding position at one of the world’s top clubs? Furthermore, he’s under contract with Chelsea until 2014 so I wouldn’t expect the Blues to be willing to sell to a rival without adequate financial reward.
The 24-year-old has found his first-team opportunities somewhat limited since the arrival of Ramires from Benfica, but I doubt that will necessitate his leaving the Blues. Mikel has managed to rack up 26 starts in the Premier League this season, despite there being fiercer competition in Chelsea’s midfield. I don’t believe that Mikel has the kind of mentality that necessitates his leaving whenever he hits a rough patch. I fully expect the Nigerian international to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place.
This ‘fight’ has been evident in Mikel’s performances as of late. Indeed, that the surge in his form has come at the same time as Chelsea re-entering the title-race is not too surprising. Whilst there will be some older legs leaving Stamford Bridge during the transfer window, I’m sure that Carlo Ancelotti understands the value of his talented midfielder and will not be looking to move him on in the summer.
Is Arsenal’s interest in Mikel even plausible? Whilst the Gunners do have issues with their squad, I’d argue that they already have one of the strongest midfields in world football and that little tinkering needs to be done in that area. Whilst John Obi Mikel would operate as better back-up than the likes of Abou Diaby and Denilson, it’s clear that he wouldn’t be satisfied playing that role for Arsenal.
This transfer rumour smacks of implausibility. Not only do I doubt that Chelsea would even consider selling Mikel to Arsenal, but I doubt also that Arsene Wenger has even a vague interest in acquiring the Nigerian.
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Not going to happen. If Arsene needs a back-up to Song, then surely, it will not be an African; how will it look if both Midfield enforcers go off to the African cup of Nations with no quality cover? Too speculative.
AFCON now holds in the summer, so no problem there anymore.
We dont want player like obi and song
Sixtay, where did you get that info on the AFCON? The tournament for 2012 holds between January 21 and February 12, 2012. The decision to hold the tourney in the summer was considered but may only start from the next tourney, if approved. Hey; I am Nigerian; I should know 🙂