Mourinho explains reason behind converting Mikel to defensive midfielder

The decision to use Mikel Obi as a defensive midfielder during his time as Chelsea’s manager has been disclosed by former manager Jose Mourinho.

After a protracted transfer dispute with Manchester United, Mikel Obi decided to join Chelsea in the summer of 2006 and made a name for himself by winning every championship imaginable.

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Jose Mourinho changed his position from playmaker to defensive midfielder during his early career.

Now that his decision has been made, the Special One has given an explanation.

I thought Mikel was great in every way, he remarked. Numerous similarities may be found if you look through every positional [defensive] midfield player I have ever had.

I had them all tall and robust, save for the diminutive Claude Makelele. They had “the simplicity of football,” as I refer to it, which is essential in that position, and they also knew how to take up space.

“With or without the ball, the team requires balance. In the sense that they understand the team comes before themselves, defensive midfielders must possess humility.

Mikel was an incredible positional midfield player for me at Chelsea. He had lightning-fast reflexes, could play one or two touches, made everything look easy, and the game flowed.

“While he might not have been able to win a 100-meter race, he was quick with the ball and had a good understanding of the rules of the game.”

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Mikel was a member of the elite Chelsea midfield that also featured Deco, Claude Makelele, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, and Michael Ballack.

With two Premier League crowns, four FA Cup trophies, one Champions League trophy, and one Europa League, the former Super Eagles captain had an idyllic tenure at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel played for Chelsea in 249 Premier League games, however he only managed one goal.

Mourinho has two prosperous tenures at Stamford Bridge, from 2004 to 2007 and from 2013 to 2015.