Odion Ighalo Can Hurt Chelsea – Mikel Obi

Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi gave an exclusive interview to Chelseafc.com in which he discussed new Blues coach Guus Hiddink and his sides clash against Odion Ighalo’s Watford on boxing day. 

The 28-year-old is the club’s third-highest overseas appearance maker and he is hoping to reach the 350 milestone.

John Mikel Obi in action for Chelsea in the Premier League

If Mikel Obi plays against Watford then he will become only the 21st to make 350 appearances in Chelsea’s 110-year history.

 

 On the possibility of earning 350 appearances for Chelsea against Watford

“Personally it is going to be great for me if I can achieve that number. 

“I also want to push on and see how many more appearances I can get. For me it has been a great time here, I still enjoy it and ever since I walked into this football club I knew this was the place for me.

“I am so happy and so proud of the amount of games I have played for this club and at the same time using these games to win trophies and medals. This is the most important thing. For the past 10 years we have helped build the reputation of this club and Chelsea is up there in world football. I am so proud of what I have achieved and I still want to keep going.”

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On Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the top four 

“The top four is still achievable, we can still do it so why not?”

On new boss Guus Hiddink’s style of management 

“He is still the same man,’ Mikel reports. ‘He likes to get involved in training, have a bit of banter with the players but at the same time it is all serious business and that is what we need. He is always like a father figure to the team, speaking to the players individually, putting an arm around them and getting feedback from the team on what we think problems are and then trying to fix them.

“He knows exactly what he wants to do and he did it last time he was here and I think it is going to go the same way. He is going to demand a lot from the players, push everyone to the maximum in training so that when we get to the games we can perform well.

“In matches he wants his teams to react when you lose the ball, to press and recover it and then play and create chances, and create a lot of them to win games. Also to finish the chances because we have been playing some good football but not getting the goals we deserve so that is one thing the manager will want to bring into the team.

“He will want us to get into the box and make sure we get onto those crosses that are coming in. I think he is going to bring changes to the play and everyone is on board so we achieve those.”

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On the threat Odion Ighalo could pose when the Blues face Watford

“They are in good form, they have been promoted into the Premier League and they are surprising everyone playing the way they are, so we have to be on our A game. We have start the game well and if we can get a few goals that can help settle us down.

“I am not surprised Odion Ighalo is doing what he is doing. I have chatted with him and played with him in the national team and I can see the talent he has, and even before I have the ball in those games he is already making his run.

“He is a player who likes to exploit the space behind the defence and is a good finisher around the box. He is someone we need to watch out for.”

The Blues are in 15th place with 18 points while Watford are in 7th place with 28 points.

The post Odion Ighalo Can Hurt Chelsea – Mikel Obi appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.

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