Chelsea fans clamour for Mikel return

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel started Nigeria’s 2-1 friendly defeat against England at Wembley on Saturday ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and Blues fans were quick to react to his display and urged their club to re-sign the 6ft 2in tall star.

He featured in a more attacking midfield role against the Three Lions than he was perhaps used to during his time at Stamford Bridge, where he made 374 appearances in all competitions across 10 seasons before he left for the Chinese Super League in 2017.

Meanwhile, the likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Danny Drinkwater and Ross Barkley have so far failed to make their mark alongside N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park for the west London outfit, and a new player in that position could be a priority for Antonio Conte or a new manager this summer.

Chelsea supporters, the majority of whom think a 6ft 3in beast would thrive under Maurizio Sarri at the Bridge, took to social media to give their thoughts on Mikel’s latest display, and while one said “I’d take Mikel back in a minute”, another said “Mikel is better than Barkley, Bakyoko, Drinkwater combined”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Getting warmed up. @mikel_john_obi good to have you back in London we miss you at Chelsea pic.twitter.com/VR8qWu9nIa

— Steven Chester (@StevenChester19) June 2, 2018

Mikel is better than Barkley, Bakayoko, Drinkwater combined

— Daniel Park (@tacticability) June 3, 2018

Give me John Obi Mikel back any day over Bakayoko! #CFC

— Kyran Rae (@CFCKeano) June 2, 2018

That John Mikel Obi should sign for Chelsea looks a real talent

— Jack Savage (@jacksavagee_) June 2, 2018

No surprises John Obi running the show in midfield, would bring him back to London for Bakayoko any day

— Luke (@lukejenkinson_) June 2, 2018