Why Coaches Fear Mikel — Siasia Opens Up

Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi has come under severe criticism following his recent poor displays for the Super Eagles.

Samson Siasia

And Siasia, who brought Mikel to limelight during the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup said that his former player does not welcome criticisms and has warned that anyone who wishes to confront the Chelsea player to raise his game should also be ready for some banter from the footballer

Speaking to Africanfootball.com, Siasia said:

“Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating.”

His statements further confirms the sort of player power Mikel commands in the Super Eagles camp of which if you can recall, was why Coach Stephen Keshi asked Ramon Azeez to sit on the bench after warming up to come in for injured Ogenyi Onazi during the Nigeria vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina match at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Instead, he asked Reuben Gabriel to replace Onazi at the request of Mikel.

Mikel Obi

Siasia added that only Mikel could talk to himself about upping his game.

“From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don’t think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself,” argued the coach.

“He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.

“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs to improve on.

“Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done.”

Talking about what position is best for the footballer, Siasia conceded that he was equally "confused" if he best plays as a defensive or attacking midfielder.

“I am actually confused on that one, I don’t know anymore,” he admitted.

“As a defensive midfield player, it doesn’t mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don’t get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”

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