Masress : Nigeria's Mikel underrated despite 'dirty work', says Chelsea coach

Ramsco's Women Empowerment Initiative Recognized Among Top BRICS Businesswomen Practices for 2025 Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex Gold prices end July with modest gains Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US Egypt's FM, US envoy discuss Gaza ceasefire, Iran nuclear talks Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025 Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty' Federal Reserve maintains interest rates Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health Egypt, Oman discuss environmental cooperation Egypt's EDA explores pharma cooperation with Belarus Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value A minute of silence for Egyptian sports Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19 Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform

Thank you for reporting!

This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.

Nigeria's Mikel underrated despite 'dirty work', says Chelsea coach
Roberto Di Matteo thinks that John Obi Mikel is an unsung hero despite all the effort he does for the team

Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 15 - 10 - 2012

John Obi Mikel's value to Chelsea often goes unrecognized by the media and by fans of the European champions but manager Roberto Di Matteo says the Nigeria midfielder is one of the club's unsung heroes.
Mikel occupies the anchor role just in front of the defense and gets only rare chances to go for glory further forwards, evidenced by the fact he is still waiting to bag his first goal in 135 Premier League appearances for the Londoners.
The 25-year-old scored a rare goal at the weekend when he converted a penalty in Nigeria's 6-1 rout of Liberia as his side qualified for the African Nations Cup finals.
"Over the years he has been almost ever-present," Di Matteo told the club's website on Monday. "He was very important at the back end of last season and this season he has started in good form.
"We all make mistakes in games and I don't think he gets the credit for the work he does for the team."
Former Italy midfielder Di Matteo often performed the same task as Mikel during his playing days at Chelsea and has a strong empathy with the Nigerian.
Earlier this month, Di Matteo said: "I don't know why Mikel is underrated by the media or the fans. He is very rated by us in the group and it's a position where you're a bit of an unsung hero.
"You do the dirty work which is not recognized all the time because the goalscorers and more creative players get the recognition. But he is very important for our team."
Chelsea, who have a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League, have a difficult series of fixtures coming up.
They visit London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, and former manager Andre Villas-Boas, on Saturday before travelling to Ukraine to meet Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League next week.
Chelsea then have back-to-back home games against Manchester United in the Premier League and League Cup.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)

Clic here to read the story from its source.