Chelsea Star Mikel Reveals The Toughest Opponent He Has Faced
Published: November 01, 2016
John Obi Mikel has revealed that ex-Juventus hero Alessandro Del Piero is the toughest opponent he has faced in his professional career, admitting that he was too inexperienced to stop the number ten when Chelsea tackled the Serie A powerhouse in the Champions League.
The Nigeria international faced off with Del Piero in the Champions League in 2009, with both players lasting the distance in both legs at Stamford Bridge and Stadio Olimpico, and Mikel admitted he was second best to the Italian.
Speaking to Four Four Two, Mikel said : “I think Alessandro Del Piero was the best. I played against him a couple of times when he was at Juventus.
“He was close to retirement, but he just was so clever. He was finding space behind me every time to get the ball. I’d think ‘I’ve got him’ but then he’d just do something.
“I was inexperienced, he was very experienced, and he was just too clever for me. I was trying to beat him with energy, but he could beat me with his head.”
Mikel has been playing as a holding midfielder for Chelsea for the past ten years, whereas he has more offensive responsibilities for the national teams.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
The Nigeria international faced off with Del Piero in the Champions League in 2009, with both players lasting the distance in both legs at Stamford Bridge and Stadio Olimpico, and Mikel admitted he was second best to the Italian.
Speaking to Four Four Two, Mikel said : “I think Alessandro Del Piero was the best. I played against him a couple of times when he was at Juventus.
“He was close to retirement, but he just was so clever. He was finding space behind me every time to get the ball. I’d think ‘I’ve got him’ but then he’d just do something.
“I was inexperienced, he was very experienced, and he was just too clever for me. I was trying to beat him with energy, but he could beat me with his head.”
Mikel has been playing as a holding midfielder for Chelsea for the past ten years, whereas he has more offensive responsibilities for the national teams.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
Latest News
- 'Wants Dessers to be more of a killer' - Ex-Aston Villa star shares what Rangers coach told him about striker
- Chelsea not planning to offload Super Eagles-eligible winger amid reports of summer exit
- 'A killer blow for them' - Ex-Leicester City winger Piper on Ndidi's crucial goal against Southampton
- Ndidi's goal against his favourite opponent helps Leicester to a 5-0 rout of Aribo's Southampton
- Madueke features, Chukwuemeka benched as ruthless Arsenal record biggest-ever win against Chelsea
- Executive director confirms Wrexham are desperate to sign Arsenal GK Okonkwo on permanent deal
- 'The whole world knows' - Osimhen reiterates he is inspired by Chelsea legend Drogba
- 'It's going to be difficult' - Bournemouth boss on whether Solanke can win the PL golden boot award
- Trends and forecasts: Analysis of current trends in sports betting
- Atalanta's top assister Lookman, two other players of Nigerian descent named in Serie A TOTW
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football