Ex-Man United captain Rio Ferdinand reveals that Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel ‘frustrates’ him

John Obi Mikel

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed on Match of the Day that watching Chelsea star John Obi Mikel “frustrates” him.

Mikel is currently representing Nigeria at the World Cup, and with the game against Iran offering little in the way of spectacle, Ferdinand questioned Mikel’s footballing contributions.

The midfielder is a star for the Super Eagles, but Ferdinand feels he could offer more with the natural talents afforded to him, due to the slowness and cautious nature of his passing and style.

Ferdinand said: “He frustrates me sometimes, when I watch him.

“He gets opprutinies to drive, he’s a big powerful lad and he can drive forward and cause problems and draw a defender out and then play the ball in behind him and then take him out of him out of the game.

“But he seems to be content at just passing the ball sideways and keeping it ticking, which for me – as a defender – is easy to defend against. He’s not causing you any problems.”

Mikel was part of a controversial transfer deal which saw questions asked as Chelsea wrested him from the grasp of Ferdinand’s Manchester United. He has since been a mainstay at Chelsea, winning a succession of trophies under a series of managers, but has rarely impressed beyond performing at a consistently above average level.

He featured rarely for the Blues last season and there is a chance that he may leave the club in the summer ahead. Valencia are one club with reported interest in the Nigerian international.

Mikel had an 89% pass completion rate in the Premier League for Chelsea last season.