The Weekend Interview part two: John Mikel Obi
In the first part of the interview yesterday, John Mikel Obi spoke about a squad united in the common goal of winning trophies. Today he considers the next stages of the challenge which begin with this afternoon’s meeting with Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
With a clear week leading up to a fixture without either a Chelsea game or players away on international duty (a luxury not available to Jose Mourinho and his squad since August), they have been able to refine out on the pitches at Cobham what has already been eye-catching and effective football this season.
It stands the players in good stead to face the Magpies today and the important fixtures to come later this month including big cup games.
‘These are the weeks we have more time on the training pitch to work on a lot of things,’ confirms Mikel.
‘There have not been internationals and we can really focus on the club side and on our job, and make sure we get as much practice as we can so that when we go into the games we know exactly what we are doing. It is great but at the same time we try to get as much rest as we can because of the Christmas period. This is a time for everyone to recover from that.’
Training has been aided considerably by having every player available to work on all the scenarios the manager wishes to cover. Mikel, without hesitation, highlights the importance of the backroom staff in that.
‘Our medical team has been second to none, they have been fantastic,’ he says.
‘They do their jobs very professionally and they look after the players, trying to make sure there are no injuries. You get a massage, you get well looked after to prevent you from getting injuries and they have done brilliantly.
‘If you want to win trophies, if you want to become champions you need everyone and our medical team is playing a very big part.’
Mikel played the full game at St James’ Park a month ago when we last faced today’s opponents. The memories of that afternoon remain fresh to spur the team on.
‘That was a game when we had a lot of possession, we created a lot of chances, we just didn’t score the goals that day to win the game,’ he says.
‘I think anyone who watched that game will know we were unlucky to lose. I think it is the right time to play Newcastle again. The 3-0 win against Watford gives us more confidence going into this game and we shall be well-prepared having had enough time to train this week and get some rest to recover from the Christmas period. Hopefully we can get the right result against Newcastle this time and get the three points we need.’
Mikel, in his ninth year at Chelsea, has plenty of experience of challenging at the top of the Premier League but he has not always been here at this time of year. However Nigeria’s misfortune in not qualifying to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title is to Chelsea’s benefit. The tournament begins next weekend and many players from other clubs are away preparing, including a direct opponent of Mikel’s from the Newcastle midfield - Cheick Tiote.
‘It will be awkward for me to be at home to watch it because I have always taken part in it, but at the same time it is a good chance for me to be here and help the Chelsea team whenever I am needed,’ Mikel says.
‘As I said, if we want to be champions we need every player so though I am devastated I am not going to be representing my country, at the same time you look at it in the positive way of being here and helping the team, and that is exactly what I like to do.’
The Blues will soon be back to playing midweek as well as weekends when our Capital One Cup semi-final tie begins. High-profile encounters with Liverpool are also an area Mikel can talk about with great knowledge.
‘That is going to be massive,’ he says. ‘Being a two-legged game it is good we play them first in Liverpool as we will know exactly what we have to do at home to get through to the final.
‘It is always tough playing against Liverpool and even if they are not having a good season now, I am sure they have the players and the manager to turn it around. It is always a great occasion and it is one we are looking forward to.’
With Egypt also not qualifying for the Cup of Nations and Didier Drogba having brought the curtain down on his long international career, all our Africans remain available for the Liverpool games, the FA Cup and the upcoming league matches against Newcastle, Swansea and Manchester City.
Drogba, so long a team-mate and good friend of Mikel’s, has been warmly welcomed back to Chelsea.
With a clear week leading up to a fixture without either a Chelsea game or players away on international duty (a luxury not available to Jose Mourinho and his squad since August), they have been able to refine out on the pitches at Cobham what has already been eye-catching and effective football this season.
It stands the players in good stead to face the Magpies today and the important fixtures to come later this month including big cup games.
‘These are the weeks we have more time on the training pitch to work on a lot of things,’ confirms Mikel.
‘There have not been internationals and we can really focus on the club side and on our job, and make sure we get as much practice as we can so that when we go into the games we know exactly what we are doing. It is great but at the same time we try to get as much rest as we can because of the Christmas period. This is a time for everyone to recover from that.’
Training has been aided considerably by having every player available to work on all the scenarios the manager wishes to cover. Mikel, without hesitation, highlights the importance of the backroom staff in that.
‘Our medical team has been second to none, they have been fantastic,’ he says.
‘They do their jobs very professionally and they look after the players, trying to make sure there are no injuries. You get a massage, you get well looked after to prevent you from getting injuries and they have done brilliantly.
‘If you want to win trophies, if you want to become champions you need everyone and our medical team is playing a very big part.’
Mikel played the full game at St James’ Park a month ago when we last faced today’s opponents. The memories of that afternoon remain fresh to spur the team on.
‘That was a game when we had a lot of possession, we created a lot of chances, we just didn’t score the goals that day to win the game,’ he says.
‘I think anyone who watched that game will know we were unlucky to lose. I think it is the right time to play Newcastle again. The 3-0 win against Watford gives us more confidence going into this game and we shall be well-prepared having had enough time to train this week and get some rest to recover from the Christmas period. Hopefully we can get the right result against Newcastle this time and get the three points we need.’
Mikel, in his ninth year at Chelsea, has plenty of experience of challenging at the top of the Premier League but he has not always been here at this time of year. However Nigeria’s misfortune in not qualifying to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title is to Chelsea’s benefit. The tournament begins next weekend and many players from other clubs are away preparing, including a direct opponent of Mikel’s from the Newcastle midfield - Cheick Tiote.
‘It will be awkward for me to be at home to watch it because I have always taken part in it, but at the same time it is a good chance for me to be here and help the Chelsea team whenever I am needed,’ Mikel says.
‘As I said, if we want to be champions we need every player so though I am devastated I am not going to be representing my country, at the same time you look at it in the positive way of being here and helping the team, and that is exactly what I like to do.’
The Blues will soon be back to playing midweek as well as weekends when our Capital One Cup semi-final tie begins. High-profile encounters with Liverpool are also an area Mikel can talk about with great knowledge.
‘That is going to be massive,’ he says. ‘Being a two-legged game it is good we play them first in Liverpool as we will know exactly what we have to do at home to get through to the final.
‘It is always tough playing against Liverpool and even if they are not having a good season now, I am sure they have the players and the manager to turn it around. It is always a great occasion and it is one we are looking forward to.’
With Egypt also not qualifying for the Cup of Nations and Didier Drogba having brought the curtain down on his long international career, all our Africans remain available for the Liverpool games, the FA Cup and the upcoming league matches against Newcastle, Swansea and Manchester City.
Drogba, so long a team-mate and good friend of Mikel’s, has been warmly welcomed back to Chelsea.
‘It is fantastic,’ smiles Mikel.
‘Didi is always like this, like he is 25. He cracks people up, he is funny and he brings a lot into the dressing room. He knows when he needs to help create a good environment, make people happy in the group and he knows when to be serious and say to people come on, now we have to switch on, we have to win.
‘It is good to have him and JT and all the senior players around. They are great ambassadors for this team. Didi still looks as hungry as ever and hopefully we can all win together this season.’
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