Chelsea has always had a world-class back, by the original defensive master Claude Makélé, the "African buffalo" Michael Essien with endless physical strength, Jose Mourinho II midfielder Nemanja Mati, who can cover 30% of the world's area, etc., are the reasons why Chelsea can become a famous defensive powerhouse. But in fact, there is a low-key midfielder, but also not inferior to the strength and contribution of the previous few, he is the Nigerian back, John Obi Mikel.
Long before Mikel John landed at Stamford Bridge, he was also infinitely close to joining Manchester United. On 29 April 2005, United announced the signing of Mikel John for a transfer fee of £4 million; the two sides signed for four years. However, Chelsea also announced that they have also signed a contract with Mikel John, and Mourinho has shown a lot of sincerity with Mikel John on a tour of the Blues' training ground. In the end, after FIFA intervention and legal turmoil, Mikel John eventually joined Chelsea, but the Blues had to pay Mikel John's team Lyn and Manchester United £4 million and Manchester United respectively; the Nigerian midfielder was signed for a total transfer fee of £16 million.
At the beginning of his debut, Mikel John did not play at the back, but as a professional attacking midfielder. At the World Youth Championship that year, Mikel John, with his creativity and inspiration, became the silver ball winner of the tournament second only to The King of The Club Messi. But early on with Chelsea, Mikel John was positioned as a backfield by Jose Mourinho, rather than a front-back he was proud of for the national team. "Madman" Mourinho has a height of 1.88m back-up level in Mikle John; superb ball protection skills, so he has been completely transformed. Under the guidance of two world-class backs, Makelele and Essien, Mikel John has grown very well.
In many important competitions, Mikel John has been given the opportunity to start, such as the FA Cup final in the 2008-09 season and the FA Cup final in the 2011-12 season, Mikel John is the manager's first choice, which shows that his importance has become increasingly high. But the real thing that made Mikel John famous was in the 2012 Champions League final. Chelsea had a long injury list in the Munich campaign, with captain and defender John Terry taking a three-game red suspension for stupidly violating Sanchez in the final four against Barcelona, and Ivanovic, Ramirez and Merrellez, three midfielders, facing suspension for accumulating yellow cards.
Mikel John's performance in that game can only be described as surprising, he became a reliable barrier in front of David Luiz and Cahill, freezing Bayer stars such as Thomas Muller and Tony Kroos, and successfully minimizing Bayern's threatening attacks. Chelsea were able to win the title in the end, and apart from Drogba (who scored two goals) and Petr Cech (who saved multiple penalties), Mikel John's credit was even greater than captain Lampard.
After that, Mikel John occupied an extremely important position under Di Matteo, Benitez, Mourinho and Hiddink. Especially after Essien's standard plummeted due to a knee injury, Mikel John took over the main back position from him.
In the summer of 2016, Mikel John returned with Nigeria for the Olympics and won the bronze medal. But then-manager Conte was unhappy with his absence from the pre-season games at the Olympics, and unjustifiably hid Mikel John from the snow; in the winter window, he was sent to the middle division, making the Nigerian walk bad. But Mikel John's low profile and focus on the game really needs to be affirmed. He never makes a big fuss about the lack of opportunities; he doesn't get upset or shout out because of tactical requirements, his transfer to the back, and he doesn't go all out on the bench or start. 372 games; nine major titles (two Premier League, one Champions League, one Europa League, four FA Cups, one Premier League Cup), and All the trophies that Mikel John's Blues career can win, such an unknown loyalist deserves more applause from fans.