Jon Obi Mikel admits to hardest season

Sportsmole.co.uk 09/04/2013

Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel has admitted that this season has been his most testing campaign to date at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are still fighting on three fronts and have the chance to win silverware in both the Europa League andFA Cup.

Mikel has revealed that the hectic fixture schedule has tested Chelsea's squad to the limit, but the Nigerian remains confident of a top-four finish in the Premier League.

He told The Mirror: "This season is harder even than last year when we won the Champions League, especially in the Europa League, there are more games.

"I have been here seven years, we have always played Champions League games, but it's very hard this season. We are still in the Cup, the Europa League and then in the league we are still fighting for the top four. Tottenham Hotspur have put themselves right in there, Arsenal won on Saturday, so for us we have to keep playing, believe in what we can do, and focus on ourselves, and don't think about what the other teams are doing.

"But with Spurs and Arsenal, it always changes. So we have to keep doing what we are doing and focus on ourselves. The battle for the top four has always been tough. We knew it was going to be tough, coming to the business end of the season."

Rafael Benitez's side sit third in the table on goal difference ahead of Spurs, with a two-point gap between them and Arsenal in fifth.

John Obi Mikel determined to help Chelsea past Manchester City in FA Cup

Skysports.com 14/04/2013

John Obi Mikel is determined help Chelsea into the FA Cup final and 'end' Manchester City's season in the process.


Two Premier League heavyweights are set to go head-to-head at Wembley Stadium on Sunday for the right to return to the home of English football to face Wigan Athletic.
Mikel is confident cup holders Chelsea can edge a step closer to major silverware and ensure that City end the 2012/13 empty-handed.
He said: "If we get a good result, it will end their season.
"It is a game we are looking forward to and it is going to be a very difficult one.
"City are playing well now. They beat United at Old Trafford so they have this confidence. But we have to go out there and do what we normally do.
"Against United, some of their football was just breathtaking. If you watched the game, they dominated it. But we can create chances."

Unlucky
Chelsea have failed to beat City in the last four meetings between the two clubs in all competitions, but Mikel believes they are capable of coming out on top in their latest clash.
He added: "We have been unlucky against them.
"We will try to change the pattern to get it in our favour. I don't know many teams who can stop them, but we are a good side as well.
"We are together as a team. This is a great team and we looked forward to playing a lot of games. City is now the big one."