UEFA Champions League: Mikel last Nigeria star standing

Chinedu Obasi and Schalke 04 failed to progress to the last eight after they lost scandalously to a Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid, while Michael Olaitan’s Olympiacos crashed out to Manchester United.Earlier in the competition, the likes of Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbache, Turkey) and Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland) had tried their luck with […]

Chinedu Obasi and Schalke 04 failed to progress to the last eight after they lost scandalously to a Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid, while Michael Olaitan’s Olympiacos crashed out to Manchester United.
Earlier in the competition, the likes of Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbache, Turkey) and Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland) had tried their luck with nothing to show for it.
Mikel’s Chelsea zoomed past Galatasaray 3-1 on aggregate after they outscored the Turkish giants led by ex-Chelsea legend Didier Drogba 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The midfielder may be having a torrid time to pin down a regular shirt at Chelsea, but he has featured in six Champions League games for Chelsea this season and has over 50 UEFA Champions League matches under his belt for Chelsea.
He will still have key role to play in ‘The Blues’ quest to win a second Champions League as both Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are cup-tied.
Despite his limited appearances, Mikel is a classy midfielder who covers well for the defence line and is armed with tactical discipline and vision.
The Jos-born star debuted in UEFA Champions League on October 12, 2006, in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Werder Bremen. His role in Chelsea’s triumph over Bayern Munich in the 2011/2012 season to emerge champions cannot be rushed aside as that remains his best game in the competition for Chelsea.