The chelsea mid-field general has been a great influence in chelsea recent success in europe and domestic league scoring his debut premier league is a sign of great things to come from the player.
On the surface Mikel Obi has played 229 Chelsea games, scoring just twice, more than five years ago, and has contributed direct assists only sparsely in that time. He is not a dead ball specialist and nor does he possess the positional versatility of others.
And yet here is a man clearly doing something right.
Ever since Jose Mourinho handed the Nigerian a debut in August 2006, every Chelsea manager, and including Roberto Di Matteo there have been seven (plus Ray Wilkins for one game prior to Guus Hiddink's tenure), has employed Mikel at the bottom of his midfield, where he retains possession as well as anybody, and regularly wins it back with a minimum of fuss.
This season the 24-year-old began as Andre Villas-Boas's preferred option, despite the kidnapping of his father. It was a difficult time at the start of an up-and-down campaign punctuated by injury over Christmas and the New Year.
'It was really difficult for me but I carried on with my football and started the season well,' comments the midfielder. 'I was playing games until just before Christmas against Spurs, and then came back and things weren't going well but I am happy to be playing again now.
'In the last few games I have been selected which is good because there are world-class players who can play there in Michael Essien, Ramires and Oscar.
'I come in every day and try to enjoy what I do, enjoy my work and have a smile on my face. If that's working it's good, football is a job I love doing and one I want to do full of happiness. Playing makes me feel like that and I'm pleased that the coach has confidence in me.'
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