Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas hints at John Obi Mikel featuring against West Brom Albion
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Obi-Mikel-c18882, who had chosen to play against Stoke City despite receiving news his father had been kidnapped. The Portuguese manager felt the 24-year-old had shown maturity
beyond his years and mental strength that made him a top-class player.
It has been over a week since Mikel’s father went missing in Nigeria, but the midfielder has not let his personal problems affect his game. Not only did he decide to play against Stoke City last weekend, the player has made himself available for the clash
against West Bromwich Albion. The Blues will host the visitors at Stamford Bridge, their first home game of the season.
While there has been no progress in recovering the player’s father, Mikel’s family has been contacted by the kidnappers. His brothers confirmed while speaking to the media that they had indeed spoken to the kidnappers who had demanded a huge payment for
their father’s release. Having heard their father’s voice over the phone, they confirmed he was still alive.
Mikel was informed moments before the clash at Britannia Stadium by Villas-Boas himself, who offered the player the choice to sit out the match. However, Mikel declined the offer and started the match. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nigeria-c2970 international put up an impressive performance
and almost found the back of the net. He is expected to be selected for the match against West Brom today.
Villas-Boas admitted he was impressed by the way Mikel had handled the entire situation, claiming that not everybody would have reacted the same way. With the player having trained with the side and made himself available for selection, Villas-Boas hinted
that he would consider picking the player for the match over the weekend.
Villas-Boas said in an interview:
“I just have to go with the word my player gives to me and for the game against Stoke, Mikel felt well to play.
People go through big disappointments and personal things in their lives and they can still be able to play because they feel well on the pitch, to avoid the things that are running in their personal lives and they can focus on different things.”
He continued:
“Mikel made himself available for training and selection so I will just judge it like that.”
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 boss admitted he did not like being the messenger of bad news, but as the manager it was his responsibility. He had been given the option to inform Mikel after the match, but decided the player had the right to know as soon as possible.
Villas-Boas said he hoped the traumatic incident was resolved soon.
Villas-Boas said:
“I wouldn't like to go into it - it's a pretty sensitive situation and pretty traumatic.
Hopefully, he can get this thing solved as soon as possible that's what we hope for.”
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