Chelsea yet to find replacement for Obi Mikel, Says Joe Cole

Chelsea’s Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel (L) vies with Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Manuel Garcia Alonso during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on February 21, 2016. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS /

Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has said the London club are yet to find a replacement for John Obi Mikel.

Both Cole and Mikel were teammates at Chelsea and won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield.

The duo played together from 2006 to 2010 before Cole joined Liverpool ahead of the 2010/11 season.

Speaking on Mikel’s podcast, Obi One, Cole explained the former Super Eagles captain was important for the Blues.

“There was a big furore because of the Manchester United connection, in the press it was like ‘did he sign for Manchester United’ Alex Ferguson was furious, Chelsea was fighting for him and I said to myself he must be a hell of a player. He must be unbelievable because everyone wanted him.

“Coming to the club and choosing to play in the defensive position he had a harder job than anyone because he had to dislodge Claude Makelele and Chelsea were very smart because they probably got John in thinking Makelele has to go in a few years and John’s going to come in and we saw the the career he went on to have, he was a top, top player.

“I played with Michael Carrick at West Ham as well and such players are not appreciated while you are there because they are just doing their job. All the little things on the pitch that need doing they did and like Makelele and Carrick it’s only when they are gone that you realize how good they are and I don’t think Chelsea have replaced him (Mikel).

“So we’ve went Makelele, John Obi Mikel and I’m