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John Obi Mikel
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John Obi Mikel
Mikel playing for Chelsea in 2016
Personal information
Full name
John Michael Nchekwube Obinna[1]
Date of birth
(1987-04-22) 22 April 1987 (age 31)
Place of birth
Jos, Nigeria
Height
1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2][3][4]
Playing position
Midfielder
Club information
Current team
Tianjin TEDA
Number
10
Youth career
2002–2004
Plateau United
Senior career*
Years
Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006
Lyn 6 (1)
2006–2017
Chelsea 249 (1)
2017–
Tianjin TEDA 19 (2)
National team‡
2006–
Nigeria 82 (6)
2016
Nigeria Olympic 6 (1)
Honours[show]
Olympic Games
2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 02:51, 4 November 2017 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:37, 14 November 2017 (UTC))
John Michael Nchekwube Obinna (born 22 April 1987), variously known as John Obi Mikel, John Mikel Obi or Mikel John Obi, is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chinese club Tianjin TEDA in the Chinese Super League and the Nigeria national team.
Contents
[hide]
1 Club career
1.1 Controversial transfer to England
1.1.1 Transfer resolved
1.2 Chelsea
1.2.1 2006–07 season
1.2.2 2007–08 season
1.2.3 2008–09 season
1.2.4 2009–10 season
1.2.5 2010–11 season
1.2.6 2011–12 season
1.2.7 2012–13 season
1.2.8 2013–14 season
1.2.9 2014–15 season
1.2.10 2015–16 season
1.2.11 2016–17 season
1.3 Tianjin TEDA
2 International career
2.1 2016 Summer Olympics
3 Career statistics
3.1 Club
3.2 International
3.3 International goals
4 Honours
5 Personal life
6 Notes
7 References
8 External links
Club career
Mikel was born in Jos, Nigeria, as John Michael Nchekwube Obinna, the son of Michael Obi, who runs an inter-state transport company in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.[5] As his father was a member of the Igbo ethnic group,[6] "Nchekwube" means "hope" and "Obi" is a nickname for the Igbo name "Obinna" (meaning "Father's heart").[7]
Mikel started his official football career at the age of 12 when picked as a talented footballer from over 3,000 young talents to play in Pepsi Football Academy, a team that at the time was well known for travelling across Nigeria scouting young footballers with the potential to play professionally. Obi stood out to scouts and was later picked to play for top-flight club Plateau United, a side that had previously developed stars Celestine Babayaro, Victor Obinna and Chris Obodo, among others, that went on to success in European leagues. Later known as John Obi Mikel, he made headlines for his country at the FIFA Under-17 World Championships held in Finland. Following the tournament, he went on to a trial at South Africa club Ajax Cape Town, ultimately joining Oslo-based club Lyn Fotball in Norway.[8]
During preparations for the 2003 FIFA Under-17 World Championships, the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) mistakenly submitted "Michael" as "Mikel" for the tournament in Finland. He decided to keep the new name, saying that it had a "special ring to it." On 31 July 2006, he stated that he prefers to be called Mikel John Obi instead of John Obi Mikel, as he had most commonly been called.[9]
In the summer of 2005, Mikel played for Nigeria at the FIFA World Youth Championships held in the Netherlands. He had an excellent tournament until Nigeria reached the final, where they lost 2–1 to Argentina. Obi won the Silver Ball after being voted the tournament's second-best player.
Controversial transfer to England
On 29 April 2005, a few days after Mikel turned 18, Premier League club Manchester United announced that it had struck a deal with Lyn to sign the player.[10] United's website also claimed that they had done a deal directly with the teenager and that he had signed a contract to join them. Mikel's agents were bypassed as the club persuaded the youngster to sign a four-year contract without representation. Lyn allegedly sent a fax to his agents abroad, claiming their services were no longer required by Mikel. Reports said the deal was initially worth £4 million,[11] and would see the player arrive at Old Trafford in January 2006.
Manchester United's rival Premier League club, Chelsea, later issued a counter-claim suggesting that they already had an agreement with Mikel and his agents, but Lyn denied this claim. However, subsequent reports indicated that Chelsea claimed to have been involved in arranging the player's original move to Europe with a view to signing him at a later date. Further substance was added to this claim after it was revealed that the player had impressed Chelsea manager José Mourinho while training with the club's first-team squad during the summer of 2004.
Mikel expressed his delight at joining United in a hastily arranged press conference, where he was pictured holding up a Manchester United shirt bearing the squad number 21.[12] Following his signing of the contract to join United, there were claims from Norway that he had received a number of threatening phone calls from unknown sources. Mikel was assigned a security guard and moved to a safe hotel. On 11 May 2005, however, the midfielder went missing during a Norwegian Cup game against Klemetsrud; he had not been selected for the match but had been watching from the stands. Whilst the player was believed to have left with one of his agents, John Shittu, who had by now flown in to meet Mikel, his disappearance sparked massive media coverage in Norway and also provoked a police enquiry after Lyn Director Morgan Andersen made claims in the Norwegian media that Mikel had been "kidnapped." These claims were later repeated by Manchester United's assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, who accused Chelsea of being involved in the alleged "kidnapping."[13]
It subsequently emerged that Mikel had travelled to London with his agent John Shittu, who was working for Jerome Anderson's SEM group.[14] Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson considered travelling to Oslo to visit Mikel, but decided against this after Mikel was reported to have left the country.[15] Staying in a London hotel and some nine days after disappearing, Mikel stated on Sky Sports News that he had been pressured into signing the contract with United without his agent present, claims furiously rebuffed by both Manchester United and Lyn.[16] Mikel told the British media that Chelsea were the club he genuinely wanted to sign for. In response to these events, United made an official complaint to FIFA about the behaviour of both Chelsea and the player's agents, Shittu and Rune Hauge, already infamous for his role in the George Graham bungs scandal.[17] FIFA dismissed these claims in August 2005, stating there was insufficient evidence to bring a case against Chelsea.
Following the tournament, Mikel failed to return to Lyn, whereupon the club subsequently lodged a complaint with FIFA. On 12 August 2005, FIFA ruled that Mikel should return to Lyn to fulfill the remainder of his contract with the club, whilst they would decide at a later date whether the contract he signed with United should be upheld or cancelled.[18][19] After a delay of over a month, Mikel complied with the FIFA decision and returned to Lyn in early September 2005 after a three-month absence.
Transfer resolved
Rather than leaving FIFA to determine the validity of the contract signed with Manchester United, Chelsea intervened by volunteering to settle the transfer saga through negotiation with Lyn and Manchester United.[20]
On 2 June 2006, Chelsea, Manchester United and Lyn reached a settlement to resolve the future of the player. Mikel's registration was to be transferred from Lyn to Chelsea; Manchester United agreed to terminate their option agreement with Mikel. Under the terms of this agreement, Chelsea agreed to pay United £12 million, half paid upon the finalization of the contract and the other half in June 2007, and Lyn £4 million, half payable immediately and half in June 2007. As a result of this settlement, all claims in this matter were withdrawn.[21] On 19 July 2006, Chelsea were granted a work permit for the midfielder after they completed the £16 million signing in June 2006.[22]
In the aftermath of the transfer, Lyn Director Morgan Andersen, who had a previous conviction for forging official documents,[23] was convicted of fraud and making false accusations; he was given a one-year suspended jail sentence by an Oslo court. The court also ordered him to pay 20,000 kroner (£1,944) in costs.[24] Chelsea made a High Court claim for £16 million against Lyn and Andersen following the conviction, claiming that the previously agreed settlement was not binding as "the transfer was based on a fraudulent misrepresentation, now proven by a court of law."[25] This claim was subsequently resolved out of court.[26]
Chelsea
2006–07 season
On 12 September 2006, Mikel made his first start for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League against Bulgarian club Levski Sofia and took a powerful shot which the goalkeeper failed to save and Didier Drogba pounced on the rebound. Mikel received many positive comments for his performance in the match. However, since being sent off in a match against Reading on 14 October 2006, Mikel was fined on three separate occasions by Chelsea for turning up late to training.
At the time, Chelsea manager José Mourinho was believed to have strong reservations about his lifestyle outside of Stamford Bridge, and the club were reportedly considering offloading the player. Mikel was dropped for over a month, during which his father Michael voiced his concerns over his son's behaviour.[27] After improved punctuality and showings at training sessions, Mikel earned a recall for Chelsea's Champions League group stage away game against Werder Bremen on 23 November 2006. He scored his first goal for Chelsea in their 6–1 FA Cup victory over Macclesfield Town on 6 January 2007. He also scored against Nottingham Forest in the following round of the competition. During Chelsea's triumph in the League Cup final in 2007, Mikel was sent off in injury time (having come on as a substitute) after clashing with Kolo Touré. The incident was followed by a huge fracas, in which Touré and Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal were sent off, Cesc Fàbregas and Frank Lampard were booked and Mourinho and Arsène Wenger were involved in a kerfuffle on the pitch.
In subsequent games, Mourinho deployed Mikel as a starter in a holding role in key games where he impressed greatly, notably in the Chelsea–Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup sixth round replay, the Champions League quarter-final games against Valencia, the Champions League semi-final games against Liverpool and also the victorious 2007 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. Mikel's height and great strength, allied to good ball control and an unusually wide range of passing, allows him not only to disrupt opposing attacks, but also to spread the play effectively. Mikel supplanted the French midfielder Claude Makélélé in the lineup following his departure to Paris Saint-Germain.[28]
2007–08 season
Mikel was sent-off for the third time in his career in September 2007, when referee Mike Dean dismissed him for a tackle on Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. Chelsea appealed against the red card, but the three-match suspension was upheld.
Mikel was also sent off in the semi-final of the League Cup against Everton for a challenge on Phil Neville. Despite this, he came back strongly to round off what has been a good first two seasons for him at Chelsea.
2008–09 season
Mikel playing for Chelsea against Spartak Moscow
The summer of 2008 saw veteran defensive midfielder Claude Makélélé transferred to French club Paris Saint-Germain, leaving the defensive midfield position vacant. Throughout the 2008–09 season, Mikel saw a great deal of playing time due to an injury to Michael Essien. During this period of increased action, Mikel performed admirably in the role. His ever-improving game was praised by Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, and his importance to the team was underlined when he provided the free kick that Salomon Kalou scored to equalise against Manchester United. He played so well in 2008–09 that he was nominated for the club player and young player of the season. On 24 January 2009, Mikel was charged with drunk driving, just hours before an FA Cup game against Ipswich Town[29] – Mikel was not due to play in the game as he was serving a suspension. Although he had all that trouble on 22 July, Mikel signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea.[30]
2009–10 season
Mikel playing for Chelsea against Fulham on 28 December 2009.
On 13 February 2010, Mikel provided a long ball for Didier Drogba to latch onto and fire past goalkeeper David Marshall as Chelsea beat Cardiff City 4–1 in the FA Cup Round of 16.[31] Mikel provided another assist for a Drogba goal in a 5–0 win over FA Cup finalists and relegated side Portsmouth on 24 March, as Chelsea cut United's lead at the top of the table to one point.[32] Mikel played the full ninety minutes in Chelsea's 7–1 smashing of Aston Villa three days later as Chelsea kept pace in the title race with Manchester United.[33] In their next Premier League game against United, Mikel played excellent as a marshall in midfield as Chelsea climbed above United in the table with a 2–1 win at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Joe Cole and Drogba.[34]
Under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, Mikel continued to perform with efficiency in his defensive midfield role, notching 32 appearances for the Blues. In May 2010, he received Premier League[35] and FA Cup[36] winner's medals as part of Chelsea's first ever league-cup double winning team.[37]
2010–11 season
Mikel and Chelsea started the new 2010–11 Premier League campaign where they left off from the 2009–10 season, playing strong defense and adding deadly finishing. Mikel played the full 90 and helped keep three clean-sheets in the first three games as Chelsea eased past West Bromwich Albion 6–0 on 14 August,[38] crushed Wigan Athletic 6–0 at the DW Stadium seven days later[39] and edged past Stoke City 2–0 on 28 August.[40]
Mikel was the preferred option in defensive midfield as teammate Michael Essien spent most of the season on the sideline with knee injuries.[41] The injury to the versatile Essien forced the club to play new signing Ramires more often in the second half of the season. Mikel featured in 28 Premier League campaigns for Chelsea as the London side finished in second place, nine points behind champions Manchester United.[42] Following the disappointment of not winning a title, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was sacked by the club.[43][44]
2011–12 season
Before the start of their league campaign, Mikel's father was abducted in his native Nigeria on 10 August; despite this, Mikel started in the club's opening fixture against Stoke City at Britannia Stadium.[45] Mikel came close to claiming his first Premier League goal for Chelsea in an inspired game as the sides played out a 0–0 draw in new coach André Villas-Boas' first game in charge.[46]
Due to Essien's long-term knee injury, Mikel found more playing time, but around Christmas time lost his place to new signing Oriol Romeu.[47] Following a run of disappointing fixtures, including a catastrophic 3–1 loss to Napoli in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg[48] and a 1–0 defeat to West Brom,[49] Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.[50] In both of these matches, Mikel was an unused substitute for the Blues.[51] Following the appointment of former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo as interim head coach, Mikel appeared in 16 of the club's last 20 games and started in 14 of them, and began to play some of his best football for the club.[52]
Mikel played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's 2–1 victory over Liverpool in the 2012 FA Cup Final on 5 May 2012, picking up a yellow card in the 36th minute.[47] The 2011–12 Premier League campaign saw Mikel appear in 22 league fixtures, starting 15 of them, as well as playing in eight fixtures leading up to the team's appearance in the 2012 Champions League Final against Bayern Munich.[51]
In the final in Munich on 19 May, Mikel played the full 120 minutes as the sides played out a 1–1 draw.[53] Chelsea played a tough defensive battle and Mikel was hailed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp as playing an excellent game, putting in "a performance that I didn't think he had in him; he was putting out fires everywhere," as Chelsea claimed a 4–3 victory in the penalty shootout.[53] Following his performance, Mikel told reporters that it was "best night of our lives."[54] Mikel's strong performances in the final stages of the season and his impressive display in Munich helped Chelsea secure Champions League football next season despite finishing in sixth place, knocking London rivals Tottenham into the UEFA Europa League.[55]
2012–13 season
Mikel started all of Chelsea's first five games of the new 2012–13 Premier League season, and also played in the Community Shield against Manchester City[56] and Super Cup against Atlético Madrid. In November, Mikel was named on the shortlist for the African Footballer of the Year along with former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba.[57]
Mikel warming up prior to a game against Roma in August 2013.
Mikel was charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) on 22 November 2012.[58] He was given a three-match ban and fined £60,000 for threatening referee Mark Clattenburg during a 3–2 defeat to Manchester United.[59][60]
On 5 December 2012, Mikel signed a contract extension with Chelsea, keeping him at the club until 2017.[61]
2013–14 season
Mikel playing for Chelsea in 2013
On 21 September 2013, Mikel scored his first-ever Premier League goal in a 2–0 win against Fulham.[62] He scored his second goal of the season in Chelsea's third round tie with Derby County on 5 January 2014, heading in the opening goal in an eventual 2–0 victory.[63] He made his 200th Premier League appearance for Chelsea on 3 February, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 away victory at Manchester City.
2014–15 season
On 30 August 2014, Mikel, who substituted Willian on the 75-minute mark, set up Diego Costa's second goal after intercepting up Muhamed Bešić's backheel pass. Chelsea went on to win 6–3 against Everton at Goodison Park.[64] Mikel scored a rare goal against Sporting CP on 10 December in a 3–1 victory at Stamford Bridge in the 2014–15 Champions League.
2015–16 season
Against Watford on Boxing Day 2015, in the first game of Guus Hiddink's second spell in charge, Mikel came on to become the 21st player to make 350 appearances for Chelsea. Chelsea then faced Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Mikel conceded a foul just outside the 18-yard box. PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimović's free kick deflected off Mikel, who was part of the wall, and past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Just a few minutes later, however, Mikel equalised from a stoppage time corner kick. Due to the injuries of John Terry and Gary Cahill, Mikel had to play as a centre-back in multiple games.
2016–17 season
On 4 November 2016, it was announced that the club would not be renewing his contract when it expired at the end of the season.[65]
Tianjin TEDA
On 6 January 2017, Chinese club Tianjin TEDA signed Mikel by free transfer.[66] On April 14, 2018, he scored his second league goal for Tianjin, and first goal of the season against Guangzhou R&F F.C..[67]
International career
Mikel represented the Nigeria under-20 team at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and won the Silver Ball for the second-best player at the tournament (behind Lionel Messi) as the Africans finished runner-up to Argentina.[68]
He made his debut for the Nigeria senior team on 17 August 2005, when he came on as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 friendly win over Libya. He did not play for the national team again prior to being named in the squad for the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations. In Nigeria's first group game, against Ghana, Mikel was an unused substitute. However, he was introduced into the second game against Zimbabwe early in the second half. Within ten minutes of coming on, he had supplied both the corner that resulted in Christian Obodo heading the game's opening goal, and scored Nigeria's second goal. He made his first international start in Nigeria's final group game, a 2–1 victory over Senegal.[69]
In 2007, Mikel was suspended from all Nigerian national teams after manager Berti Vogts dropped Mikel from the team's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger for failing to attend their previous match against Uganda.[70] Mikel cited an injury, but because he did not attend an independent check by Nigerian officials, he was dropped. This, and his refusal to play for the Nigerian under-23 side, resulted in his suspension by the Nigerian Football Association. After apologising, he was called up to the national squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.[71] At the tournament, he scored one goal and registered one assist in a match against Benin to help Nigeria qualify for the quarter-finals against hosts Ghana, where they lost 2–1 to their West African rivals.[72]
Mikel had been called up for the under-23 side in preparation of the team's last Olympic qualifier on 26 March 2008, needing a win to qualify.[73] His failure to show up for any of the qualifiers again setting off some controversy with the U23 team coach Samson Siasia, who dropped him from the Olympic squad amidst significant furor from the media.
On 5 June 2010, Mikel was ruled out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa due to injury. He had been struggling to recover from a knee problem after undergoing surgery in May, though there were also reports that an ankle injury was to blame for Mikel's withdrawal.[74]
At the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Mikel was a key player for Nigeria as they went on to win their fifth continental title. He was named by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the team of the tournament alongside teammates Vincent Enyeama, Efe Ambrose, Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike.[75]
Mikel made his FIFA World Cup debut during the 2014 tournament in Brazil, earning a man of the match award in the Super Eagles' opening game against Iran[76] and helping the team to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1998.[77]
In a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Algeria, Mikel scored a goal and assisted his Chelsea teammate Victor Moses in a 3-1 victory.[78][79]
2016 Summer Olympics
He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics[80] and was later named captain of the Olympics squad.[81] On 13 August 2016, Mikel scored his first ever Olympic goal in a 2–0 win against Denmark to advance to the semi-final.[82] After the 2–0 defeat to Germany, Nigeria went on to the bronze medal match against Honduras. On 20 August, Mikel helped Nigeria to the bronze medal in a 3–2 victory over Honduras. Nigeria became the first ever country to win all three medals at the Olympics Games with the 1996 squad winning the gold and 2008 squad winning the silver.[83]
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 4 November 2017[84][85]
Club
Season
League
National Cup
League Cup
Europe[86]
Other[nb 1]
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Lyn 2004 Tippeligaen 4 0 0 0 – – – 4 0
2005 2 1 0 0 – – – 2 1
Total
6
1
0
0
–
–
–
6
1
Chelsea 2006–07 Premier League 22 0 6 2 4 0 9 0 1 0 42 2
2007–08 29 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 1 0 39 0
2008–09 34 0 5 0 1 0 9 0 – 49 0
2009–10 25 0 3 0 2 0 4 0 1 0 35 0
2010–11 28 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 37 0
2011–12 22 0 5 0 1 0 9 0 – 37 0
2012–13 22 0 3 0 1 0 9 0 3 0 38 0
2013–14 24 1 2 1 2 0 7 0 1 0 36 2
2014–15 18 0 2 0 4 0 2 1 – 26 1
2015–16 25 0 1 0 2 0 3 1 – 31 1
2016–17 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
Total
249
1
31
3
20
0
62
2
8
0
374
6
Tianjin Teda 2017 Chinese Super League 13 1 0 0 – – – 13 1
Total
13
1
0
0
–
–
–
13
1
Career total
268
3
31
3
20
0
62
2
8
0
396
8
International
As of match played 14 November 2017.[87]
Nigeria national team
Year
Apps
Goals
2006 5 1
2007 4 0
2008 8 1
2009 5 0
2010 8 0
2011 8 0
2012 2 1
2013 17 1
2014 13 0
2015 3 0
2016 5 1
2017 4 1
Total
82
6
International goals
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first.[88]
No
Date
Venue
Opponent
Score
Result
Competition
1. 27 January 2006 Port Said Stadium, Port Said, Egypt Zimbabwe 2–0 2–0 2006 Africa Cup of Nations
2. 29 January 2008 Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana Benin 1–0 2–0 2008 Africa Cup of Nations
3. 13 October 2012 U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Nigeria Liberia 4–1 6–1 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4. 20 June 2013 Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil Uruguay 1–1 1–2 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup
5. 12 November 2016 Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria Algeria 2–0 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
6. 1 September 2017 Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria Cameroon 2–0 4–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours
Chelsea[84]
Premier League: 2009–10, 2014–15[89]
FA Cup: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12
Football League Cup: 2006–07
FA Community Shield: 2009
UEFA Champions League: 2011–12
UEFA Europa League: 2012–13
Nigeria[84]
Africa Cup of Nations: 2013
2016 Summer Olympics : Bronze Medal
Individual
FIFA World Youth Championship Silver Ball: 2005
African Young Player of the Year: 2005, 2006
Chelsea Young Player of the Year: 2007,[90] 2008
Personal life
On 12 August 2011, Mikel's father, Michael Obi, was the victim of a suspected kidnapping in Nigeria. Mikel was informed before Chelsea's match against Stoke City two days later but opted to play despite his concerns for his father's well-being. On 15 August 2011, Mikel made an impassioned plea for his father's safe return. He told Sky Sports News, "I've always tried to help the country, this is the time for the country to help me, whoever knows where my dad is should please contact me."[5][91] Michael Obi was found alive on 22 August 2011, in the Nigerian city of Kano. His abductors were reported to be in police custody.[92][93]
Notes
Jump up ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
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Jump up ^ Magowan, Alistair. "BBC Sport – Stoke 0–0 Chelsea". BBC.
^ Jump up to: a b "What Oriol Romeu does to make Chelsea better". Football Follower. 13 December 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012.
Jump up ^ "UEFA Champions League 2011/12 – History – Napoli-Chelsea –". UEFA.
Jump up ^ Collins, Patrick (3 March 2012). "West Bromwich 1 Chelsea 0: McAuley's late strike heaps the pressure on AVB". Daily Mail. London.
Jump up ^ "Villas-Boas sacked by Chelsea as Roman swings the axe after West Brom woe". Daily Mail. London. 4 March 2012.
^ Jump up to: a b "John Mikel Obi Bio, Stats, News – Football / Soccer – – ESPNFC". ESPN. 22 April 1987.
Jump up ^ "John Obi Mikel joins League of Champions". Goal.
^ Jump up to: a b McNulty, Phil (19 May 2012). "BBC Sport – Chelsea 1–1 Bayern Munich (aet, 4–3 pens)". BBC.
Jump up ^ "Mikel: It is the biggest night of our lives". Goal.
Jump up ^ Nakrani, Sachin (20 May 2012). "Harry Redknapp and Spurs given bitter pill of Europa League by Chelsea". The Guardian. London.
Jump up ^ Smith, Ben (12 August 2012). "BBC Sport – Chelsea 2–3 Man City". BBC.
Jump up ^ "Chelsea & Arsenal stars nominated for FIFA award". Give Me Football. 15 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Mark Clattenburg cleared by FA as Chelsea's Mikel is charged". BBC Sport. 22 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "John Mikel Obi banned for Mark Clattenburg threats".
Jump up ^ Bridge, Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Stamford. "Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United".
Jump up ^ "FIVE MORE YEARS FOR MIKEL". Chelsea F.C. Official Website. 5 December 2012. Archived from the original on 7 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
Jump up ^ "Chelsea 2 Fulham 0: Mikel scores first Premier League goal as Chelsea brush aside crisis talk to go top". London Evening Standard. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
Jump up ^ "John Mikel Obi and Oscar scored second-half goals for Chelsea to set up an FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Stoke and knock a resurgent Championship side Derby out of the competition". BBC Sport. 5 January 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
Jump up ^ "Everton v Chelsea - 30th Aug 2014". Sky Sports. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
Jump up ^ "Chelsea transfer news: Mikel John Obi will not be offered new Stamford Bridge deal and could leave in January". Standard. 4 November 2016.
Jump up ^ "中超又一巨星！切尔西大将周薪14万镑签约泰达". 凤凰体育. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
Jump up ^ "Mikel Obi scores as Tiajin Teda record second win - Daily Post Nigeria". Daily Post Nigeria. 2018-04-14. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
Jump up ^ "John Obi MIKEL". FIFA. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
Jump up ^ "Nigeria 2-0 Zimbabwe". BBC. 27 January 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
Jump up ^ "Nigeria stand firm on Mikel". BBC. 14 July 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
Jump up ^ "Premier League stars at African Cup of Nations". The Telegraph. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
Jump up ^ "Quarter-finals". BBC. 3 February 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
Jump up ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (21 June 2007). "Nigeria axe Chelsea's Obi". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
Jump up ^ Gardner, Alan (5 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: Mikel John Obi ruled out of Nigeria's campaign". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
Jump up ^ "2013 Afcon Team of the Tournament". Kick Off. 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 14 February 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
Jump up ^ "Iran 0-0 Nigeria". FIFA. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
Jump up ^ "Africa makes history as two sides reach World Cup knockout stage". Ahram. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
Jump up ^ FIFA.com. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Nigeria-Algeria - FIFA.com".
Jump up ^ Football, CAF - Confederation of African. "CAF - Competitions - FIFA WC2018 - Match Details". www.cafonline.com. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
Jump up ^ Oluwashina Okeleji (24 June 2016). "Kelechi Iheanacho included in Nigeria's Olympics squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
Jump up ^ "Mikel makes Olympics squad, Awoniyi on standby". Punch. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
Jump up ^ "Rio Olympics: Mikel shines as Nigeria spank Denmark". 13 August 2016.
Jump up ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (20 August 2016). "Olympics 2016: Nigeria beat Honduras to win men's football bronze". BBC Sports.
^ Jump up to: a b c "John Michael Nchekwube Obinna". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
Jump up ^ "Games played by John Obi Mikel in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
Jump up ^ "John Obi Mikel". UEFA. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
Jump up ^ "Obi, John Mikel". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
Jump up ^ "Bangoura, Alkhali". National Football Teams. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
Jump up ^ "John Obi Mikel: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
Jump up ^ "Hazard wins player of the year". Retrieved 8 August 2016.
Jump up ^ Oluwashina Okeleji Mikel appeals for release of abducted father BBC Sport, 15 August 2011.
Jump up ^ John Mikel Obi's father found alive BBC News. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
Jump up ^ Were Mikel John Obi and his family kidnap targets? Socqer.com. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mikel John Obi.
John Obi Mikel at National-Football-Teams.com
John Obi Mikel at Soccerway
Mikel John Obi at Soccerbase
John Obi Mikel at ESPN FC
BBC Sport profile
Ferguson attacks Chelsea over Mikel transfer saga (The Guardian, 4 October 2005)
Mikel saga nears end as club ease grip (The Times, 5 December 2005)
Obi the only loser in shameful tug-of-war (The Daily Telegraph, 14 April 2006) at the Wayback Machine (archived 8 September 2006)
Mikel saga ends with Chelsea move (uefa.com, 3 June 2006)
[show]
v
t
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Tianjin Teda F.C. – current squad
1 Du Jia
3 Zhao Honglüe
4 Yang Fan
5 Qiu Tianyi
6 Gao Jiarun
7 Acheampong
8 Li Yuanyi
9 Johnathan
10 Mikel
11 Tan Wangsong
13 Zhou Qiming
14 Liu Yaoxin
15 Bastians
16 Peng Rui
17 Hui Jiakang
18 Zhou Liao
19 Bai Yuefeng
20 Mao Haoyu
21 Zhao Yingjie
22 Guo Hao
23 Yang Wanshun
25 Metjan
26 Cao Yang
27 Xie Weijun
28 Liao Bochao
29 Yang Qipeng
30 Ding Bowei
31 Sun Ya
33 Teng Shangkun
Manager: Stielike
[show]
v
t
e
CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year
2001: Mantorras
2002: Mido
2003: Martins
2004: Martins
2005: Mikel
2006: Taiwo
2007: Mulenga
2008: Kalou
2009: Adiyiah
2010: Asamoah
2011: Coulibaly
2012: Salah
2013: Iheanacho
2014: Brahimi
2015: Etebo
2016: Iheanacho
2017: Daka
[show]
Nigeria squads
[show]
v
t
e
Nigeria squad – 2006 Africa Cup of Nations Third Place
1 Enyeama
2 Yobo
3 Taiwo
4 Kanu
5 Odiah
6 Enakarhire
7 Utaka
8 Mikel
9 Martins
10 Okocha
11 Lawal
12 Ejide
13 Yussuf
14 Obinna
15 Obiefule
16 Oruma
17 Aghahowa
18 Obodo
19 Makinwa
20 Odemwingie
21 Nwaneri
22 Kaita
23 Aiyenugba
Coach: Eguavoen
[show]
v
t
e
Nigeria squad – 2008 Africa Cup of Nations
1 Enyeama
2 Yobo
3 Taiwo
4 Kanu
5 Nwaneri
6 Shittu
7 Utaka
8 Yakubu
9 Martins
10 Mikel
11 Odemwingie
12 Ejide
13 Afolabi
14 Olofinjana
15 Uche
16 Etuhu
17 Makinwa
18 Obinna
19 Emeghara
20 Okonkwo
21 Eromoigbe
22 Apam
23 Aiyenugba
Coach: Vogts
[show]
v
t
e
Nigeria squad – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Third Place
1 Enyeama
2 Yobo
3 Taiwo
4 Kanu
5 Nwaneri
6 Shittu
7 Obasi
8 Yakubu
9 Martins
10 Mikel
11 Odemwingie
12 Ejide
13 Yussuf
14 Olofinjana
15 Kaita
16 Uche
17 Odiah
18 Obinna
19 Mohamed
20 Etuhu
21 Echiéjilé
22 Apam
23 Aiyenugba
Coach: Amodu
[show]
v
t
e
Nigeria squad – 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners (3rd title)
1 Enyeama
2 Yobo (c)
3 Echiéjilé
4 Obiora
5 Ambrose
6 Egwuekwe
7 Musa
8 Ideye
9 Emenike
10 Mikel
11 Moses
12 Gabriel
13 Ogude
14 Oboabona
15 Uche
16 Ejide
17 Onazi
18 Uzoenyi
19 Mba
20 Nosa
21 Oshaniwa
22 Omeruo
23 Agbim
Coach: Keshi
[show]
v
t
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Nigeria squad – 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup
1 Enyeama (c)
2 Oboabona
3 Elderson
4 Ogu
5 Ambrose
6 Egwuekwe
7 Musa
8 Ideye
9 Akpala
10 Mikel
11 Muhammed
12 Kwambe
13 Ogude
14 Ujah
15 Babatunde
16 Ejide
17 Onazi
18 Eze
19 Mba
20 Oduamadi
21 Benjamin
22 Omeruo
23 Agbim
Coach: Keshi
[show]
v
t
e
Nigeria squad – 2014 FIFA World Cup
1 Enyeama
2 Yobo (c)
3 Uzoenyi
4 Gabriel
5 Ambrose
6 Egwuekwe
7 Musa
8 Odemwingie
9 Emenike
10 Mikel
11 Moses
12 Odunlami
13 Oshaniwa
14 Oboabona
15 Azeez
16 Ejide
17 Onazi
18 Babatunde
19 Nwofor
20 Uchebo
21 Agbim
22 Omeruo
23 Ameobi
Coach: Keshi
[show]
v
t
e
Nigeria men's football squad – 2016 Summer Olympics – Bronze Medalists
1 Akpeyi
2 Sincere
3 Madu
4 Abdullahi
5 Erimuya
6 Troost-Ekong
7 Umar
8 Etebo
9 Ezekiel (c)
10 Mikel
11 Ajayi
12 Saliu
13 Sadiq
14 Okechukwu
15 Udo
16 Amuzie
17 Usman
18 Daniel
Coach: Siasia
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Obi_Mikel&oldid=837018756"
Categories:
1987 births
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Eligible receiver
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This article is about the American football term. For the National Security Agency's hacking exercise, see Eligible Receiver 97.
In American football and Canadian football, not all players on offense are entitled to receive a forward pass. Only an eligible pass receiver may legally catch a forward pass, and only an eligible receiver may advance beyond the neutral zone if a forward pass crosses the neutral zone. If the pass is received by a non-eligible receiver, it is "illegal touching" (five yards and loss of down). If an ineligible receiver is beyond the neutral zone when a forward pass crossing the neutral zone is thrown, a foul of "ineligible receiver downfield" (five yards, but no loss of down) is called. Each league has slightly different rules regarding who is considered an eligible receiver.
Contents
[hide]
1 College football
2 Professional football
3 High school
4 See also
5 References
College football[edit]
The NCAA rulebook defines eligible receivers for college football in Rule 7, Section 3, Article 3.[1] The determining factors are the player's position on the field at the snap and their jersey number. Specifically, any players on offense wearing numbers between 50 and 79 are always ineligible. All defensive players are eligible receivers and offensive players who are not wearing an ineligible number are eligible receivers if they meet one of the following three criteria:
Player is at either end of the group of players on the line of scrimmage (usually the wide receivers and tight end)
Player is lined up at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage (running backs, fullbacks, etc.)
Player is positioned to receive a hand-to-hand snap from the center (almost always the quarterback)
Players may only wear eligible numbers at an ineligible position when it is obvious that a punt or field goal is to be attempted.
If a player is to change between eligible and ineligible positions, they must physically change jersey numbers to reflect the position.[2]
A receiver loses his eligibility by leaving the field of play unless he was forced out by a defensive player and immediately attempts to get back inbounds (Rule 7-3-4). All players on the field become eligible as soon as the ball is touched by a defensive player or an official during play (Rule 7-3-5).
Professional football[edit]
In both American and Canadian professional football, every player on the defensive team is considered eligible. The offensive team must have at least seven players lined up on the line of scrimmage. Of the players on the line of scrimmage, only the two players on the ends of the line of scrimmage are eligible receivers. The remaining players are in the backfield (four in American football, five in Canadian football), including the quarterback. These backfield players are also eligible receivers. In the National Football League, a quarterback who takes his stance behind center as a T-formation quarterback is not eligible unless, before the ball is snapped, he legally moves to a position at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage or on the end of the line, and is stationary in that position for at least one second before the snap, but is nonetheless not counted toward the seven men required on the line of scrimmage.[3]
If, for example, eight men line up on the line of scrimmage, the team loses an eligible receiver. This can often happen when a flanker or slot receiver, who is supposed to line up behind the line of scrimmage, instead lines up on the line of scrimmage between the offensive line and a split end. In most cases where a pass is caught by an ineligible receiver, it is usually because the quarterback was under pressure and threw it to an offensive lineman out of desperation.
In many leagues eligible receivers must wear certain uniform numbers, so that the officials can more easily distinguish between eligible and ineligible receivers. In the NFL running backs must wear numbers 20 to 49, tight ends must wear numbers 80 to 89 (or 40 to 49 if the numbers 80 to 89 have been exhausted), and wide receivers must wear numbers 10 to 19 or 80 to 89. In the CFL ineligible receivers must wear numbers 50 to 69; all other numbers (including 0 and 00) may be worn by eligible receivers. A player who is not wearing a number that corresponds to an eligible receiver is ineligible even if he lines up in an eligible position. However, a player who reports to the referee that he intends to be eligible in the following play is allowed to line up and act as an eligible receiver. An example of this was a 1985 NFL game in which William Perry, wearing number 72 and normally a defensive lineman, was made an eligible receiver on an offensive play, and successfully caught a touchdown pass attempt. A more recent example, and more commonly used, has been former New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel lining up as a tight end in goal line situations.
Before the snap of the ball, in the American game, backfield players may only move parallel to the line of scrimmage, only one back may be in motion at any given time, and if forward motion has occurred, the back must be still for a full second before the snap. The receiver may be in motion laterally or away from the line of scrimmage at the snap. A breach of this rule results in a penalty for illegal procedure (five yards). However, in the Canadian game, eligible receivers may move in any direction before the snap, any number may be in motion at any one time, and there is no need to be motionless before the snap.
The rules on eligible receivers only apply to forward passes. Any player may legally catch a backwards or lateral pass.
In the American game, once the play has started, eligible receivers can become ineligible depending on how the play develops. Any eligible receiver that goes out of bounds is no longer an eligible receiver and cannot receive a forward pass, unless that player re-establishes by taking three steps in bounds. Also, if a pass is touched by any defensive player or eligible offensive receiver (tipped by a defensive lineman, slips through a receiver's hands, etc.), every offensive player immediately becomes eligible. In the CFL all players become eligible receivers if a pass is touched by a member of the defensive team.
High school[edit]
In high school football, the rules of eligibility are roughly the same as in the college game. However, as of February 1999, at least five players must wear numbers between 50 and 79 on first, second, or third down, which by rule would make them ineligible receivers. This was because of a change in the definition of a scrimmage-kick formation made by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).[4] The change was intended to close a loophole in the rules which allowed teams to run an A-11 offense, in which a team could legally be exempted from eligibility numbering restrictions if the player receiving the snap was at least seven yards behind the line of scrimmage.[5]
See also[edit]
Glossary of American football
References[edit]
Jump up ^ "2006 NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations" (PDF). NCAA. July 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 1, 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-26.
Jump up ^ Stephenson, Creg (January 1, 2015). "Watch Baylor's 390-pound lineman LaQuon McGowan catch TD pass in Cotton Bowl against Michigan State". AL.com. Alabama Media Group. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
Jump up ^ "Eligible Receivers" (PDF). Official NFL Playing Rules. NFL. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
Jump up ^ Colgate, Bob (February 13, 2009). "Horse-collar Tackle To Be Penalized in High School Football" (Press release). NFHS. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
Jump up ^ Weinreb, Michael (August 28, 2008). "The A-11 offense: Ridiculous, or genius?". ESPN.com Page 2. The Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on September 3, 2008. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Positions in American football and Canadian football
Offense (Skill position)
Defense
Special teams
Linemen Guard, Tackle, Center Linemen Tackle, End Kicking players Placekicker, Punter, Kickoff specialist
Quarterback (Dual-threat, Game manager, System) Linebacker Snapping Long snapper, Holder
Backs Halfback/Tailback (Triple-threat), Fullback, H-back, Wingback Backs Cornerback, Safety, Halfback, Nickelback, Dimeback Returning Punt returner, Kick returner, Jammer
Receivers Wide receiver (Eligible), Tight end, Slotback, End Tackling Gunner, Upback, Utility
Formations (List) — Nomenclature — Strategy
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