Former Chelsea manager, Roberto Di Matteo, expressed his belief that John Mikel Obi’s contributions to the Blues were undervalued during his tenure.
Mikel spent over a decade at Stamford Bridge, amassing numerous honors with the club.
Despite his pivotal role in Chelsea’s success, the spotlight often focused on the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, and Claude Makelele.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Di Matteo, who led Chelsea to victory in the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 2012, emphasized Mikel’s crucial but often overlooked role.
“I played in the same position as you so I knew exactly what you go through in a game and what you feel,” said Di Matteo, acknowledging the unsung heroism inherent in Mikel’s contributions.
“The role you played in our team is somewhat unsung. You have to carry out a lot of work that fans or critics fail to comprehend or acknowledge. However, because I played a similar role, I understood precisely how vital you were for the team.”
