Esin who wore the country's national team respected jersey number between 1988 and 1992 lambasted Mikel after his disappointing display that led to the country's exit in the round of 16 to France.
"Mikel was a big flop in Brazil. He wears Nigeria’s No.10 jersey but he did not show he is worthy of wearing it at the big stage like the World Cup,” Esin told NigeriaNewsWatch.
"He rose to the occasion in South Africa but in Brazil he was not committed and ended up as a monumental disaster.
"Look at how other players who wore No.10 jerseys for their respective countries have been playing including Messi, Neymar, Sneijder and the young chap from Colombia, James Rodriquez.
"He failed to carry Eagles along as the pilot of the team. Have you seen a No.10 that did not make a goal attempt let alone of scoring. Jokes apart, Mikel has not shown he deserves to wear our No.10 jersey."
He however called on the former Flying Eagles midfielder to improve his game and follow the path of the country's legends like Henry Nwosu and Austin Okocha who shone wearing the jersey number during their active days for Super Eagles.
"He should go and watch the video clips of Henry Nwosu and Jay Jay Okocha including my humble self and get some tutorials on how they played as Nigeria’s No.10. You must be special to wear the No.10 jersey and for me, has not done anything special.
"While Musa and Osaze were busy taking all the free kicks and corner kicks he was idle strolling in the pitch. As soon as Onazi was stretchered out, he was exposed.
"I don’t have anything against Mikel, when he came into limelight I was one of the first person that tipped him for greatness but I am amazed that he has yet to live up to expectations and I am highly disappointed.
“There is no doubt that he is a good player having shown his qualities in the past, but he has to raise his game at the moment considering the fact that he plays for a big club like Chelsea or else he would continue to warm their bench. I am giving him this advice for his own personal interest,” he concluded. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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very seriously Mikel should up his game.
ReplyDelete"He should go and watch the video clips of Henry Nwosu and Jay Jay Okocha including my humble self..." Etim abeg leave that thing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't recovered from your performance at 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship in Chile. Since then I stopped drink Coca Cola because that was the advert after every goal that was scored (against Nigeria)
Leave Mikel, I not a Chelsea or Mikel Fan but he has achieved more than you ever did. Not to mention that he is level head unlike your "humble self"
Good advice my brother. Mikel's performance was too poor at Brazil. He needs to step up
ReplyDeleteleave ma bro 4 me joor...hez a great player n no 2 ways abt it...naija dont av wat it takes 2 perform 2 d level u crave..y blame only mikel
ReplyDeleteIf bcs he has achieve he want to be a lazy man that achievement is usless people are still taling of ronaldo, ronaldiho, maradona etc what as he achiev he MiKel when u are talking of acievement let him go to where he can play better chelsea of nowadays destroye players let him go look at DE BRUNE they bought the guy and usless him look at what he is playing my advice for Mikel is to step up forget achievement
ReplyDeletewhat no does he deserves?
ReplyDeleteEtim esin no be woman ended your carreer? Bros Mikel is far more better than you.
ReplyDeleteMikel pls look for another thing to do cos u are nt a footballer @ all.later ur father will be saying dey should av given u african footballer of d year wen u didn't do anything unlike yaya.
ReplyDeleteMikel was responsible for most of the pressure on the defense. He holds the ball un necessarily and then lose it. What is he proving? That opponents cant take the ball from him or what. He disturbs the flow of play when there should be an attack. Nigeria has better and more purposeful mid-fielders. He should not always get an automatic shirt and play for full 90 minutes. Other players should be tested in his place from time to time.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Esin. Mikel performance was pitiable at the world cup in Brazil 2014 .The point is that Mikel have failed to raise his game either for club or country. He was a sorry site to watch during this Brasil 2014 world cup. Mikel is annoyingly slow, lacks initiatives, Cannot tackle or dribble, Always disrupting flow and transition to attack on the opponents, back passing master.In fact, Mikel plays retrogressive football. Did he not watch Mutuida and Pogba-how they played for the French team .These are Mikel's age mates. So,he should not think that he is a star because he plays for Chelsea. When his contract expires let me see whether Barca or Real Madrid will come for him. It is sad that he is the same player Chelsea and Man U were struggling to have few years ago. So, Mikel should do stock taking and stop talking like big boys. His next club will be Gabros of Nnewi. O to!
ReplyDeleteIf mikel dnt deserve it den who is d person dat deserve it?
ReplyDeleteHe's d best as long as I can c 4now, am a barca fan so dnt judge me 4rm club side. He deserve anything that is more Dan number 10.