Loading ...Jun 27 2008
Mikel Speaks True but Should Be Careful
Jon Obi Mikel, who looks to take on an increased role with Chelsea if Claude Makelele’s move to Paris St. Germain happens, said yesterday that life will go on if Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba leave. He was speaking for himself but might as well as been speaking for the club. Given the resources Chelsea FC has, I don’t doubt it. Chelsea will find a way to replace their losses, though with their depth in midfield they may not have to get anybody to replace Lampard.
Still, Drogba will not be easy to replace. Yes, he was injured for half of last season’s Premiership, and yes, when he was playing it seemed like he was only playing half the time. But towards the end of the season, when Chelsea went on their near-miss run towards a double, he was the key to their attack. Playing Michael Essien at right back half the time, they had no way to transition out of their end besides targeting Drogba and relying on him to win and hold up the ball.
That’s a slight exaggeration. They did, sometimes, transition possession in other ways. But I can’t stress enough how important Drogba was to Chelsea last season. Luiz Felipe Scolari is likely to change the team’s tactics and make them less reliant on Drogba, but even if they play more 4-4-2 and find another creating midfielder, losing Drogba will be a much bigger loss than letting Lampard go.
Mikel might want to be careful what he asks for. Though he’s not really asking for anything.
I just wanted to be cliched.
Links
Obi tells Lampaard and Drogba: Life at Chelsea will go on without you
WFP Related Posts
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.