Latest news with #Mikel
Ammon
a day ago
- Sport
- Ammon
Mohamed Salah 'broke down crying' in dressing room after harsh double punishment
Ammon News - John Obi Mikel has spoken out about the time Jose Mourinho brought Mohamed Salah to tears. The former Chelsea star defended his former manager's tough approach as a means of challenging his squad. 'The Special One' is known for his stringent methods and high expectations, which have frequently led to success. However, for Salah, his Stamford Bridge stay ended in disappointment, only to later achieve stardom at Liverpool. Ex-Blues midfielder Mikel recounted a poignant moment from a 2014 clash against Norwich City when Mourinho's harsh words during a half-time substitution caused Salah to cry, signalling a turning point in their rapport. Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Mikel began by praising Mourinho, saying: "Fantastic guy, amazing. Not just [as] a coach, but a human being as well. "He's someone you can speak to, someone you can connect with. But [he] obviously has his ways of trying to get the best out of players. "He did that with Mo Salah when he had a go at him in the dressing room, and Mo Salah started crying, and he took him off," said Mikel. "Sometimes when you have a go at players, you just have a go and take them off! Or you have a go and let them go back into the game and try to correct whatever mistake it was. But sometimes he does that and tells you, 'You're not going back in.' It's a double whammy, isn't it?" Salah's less-than-stellar performance that day was partly attributed to being played out of position in midfield. Following his substitution, Eden Hazard, his replacement, failed to make a significant impact as the match ended in a goalless draw. The Egyptian winger's time at Chelsea was short-lived. After making only a handful of appearances, he was loaned out to Fiorentina in February 2015. This marked the beginning of the end of his first stint in English football. The Mirror
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mohamed Salah 'broke down crying' in dressing room after harsh double punishment
John Obi Mikel has lifted the lid on the infamous incident in which Jose Mourinho made Mohamed Salah cry, and suggested the Portuguese's tough love at Chelsea was a test for his players John Obi Mikel has spoken out about the time Jose Mourinho brought Mohamed Salah to tears. The former Chelsea star defended his former manager's tough approach as a means of challenging his squad. 'The Special One' is known for his stringent methods and high expectations, which have frequently led to success. However, for Salah, his Stamford Bridge stay ended in disappointment, only to later achieve stardom at Liverpool. Ex-Blues midfielder Mikel recounted a poignant moment from a 2014 clash against Norwich City when Mourinho's harsh words during a half-time substitution caused Salah to cry, signalling a turning point in their rapport. Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Mikel began by praising Mourinho, saying: "Fantastic guy, amazing. Not just [as] a coach, but a human being as well. "He's someone you can speak to, someone you can connect with. But [he] obviously has his ways of trying to get the best out of players. "Sometimes did he cross the line? Of course he did. Of course, he did cross the line sometimes, the way he spoke to players. Especially younger players. But it was just that era of him trying to get the best out of players." The method in question is one that saw the former Chelsea boss deliver a dressing-room tongue-lashing to Egyptian star Salah, who responded by bursting into tears and subsequently being substituted. "He did that with Mo Salah when he had a go at him in the dressing room, and Mo Salah started crying, and he took him off," said Mikel. "Sometimes when you have a go at players, you just have a go and take them off! Or you have a go and let them go back into the game and try to correct whatever mistake it was. But sometimes he does that and tells you, 'You're not going back in.' It's a double whammy, isn't it?" Salah's less-than-stellar performance that day was partly attributed to being played out of position in midfield. Following his substitution, Eden Hazard, his replacement, failed to make a significant impact as the match ended in a goalless draw. The Egyptian winger's time at Chelsea was short-lived. After making only a handful of appearances, he was loaned out to Fiorentina in February 2015. This marked the beginning of the end of his first stint in English football. Although an uptick in form sparked interest from Roma and later Liverpool, his Chelsea statistics remained unimpressive, tallying just two goals and three assists in 19 outings. A stark contrast to his Chelsea stint, Salah's time at Liverpool has been spectacular, yielding 245 goals and 113 assists in 401 appearances. It is also telling that it was under Jurgen Klopp's more empathetic management that Salah blossomed, indicating a clear correlation between the manager's approach and the player's revitalised form. In hindsight, Mourinho might regret not being more lenient with the player, who was only 22 when he arrived in west London.
CAF
2 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
John Obi-Mikel – "FIFA Club World Cup to show what Africa can achieve"
Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has applauded the expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup, highlighting the tournament's potential to reach new audiences and more representation for African football clubs. The 2013 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations winner with the Super Eagles praised the direction football's global body is taking with the new 32-team format, which is set to make the competition more inclusive and far-reaching. The former Chelsea midfielder, who enjoyed a decorated career at club and international level, believes the revamped tournament will offer fans around the world a new experience. 'It's going to be more games to watch, more games on TV, more countries and clubs getting an opportunity they've never had before.' 'For clubs from Africa to experience this tournament — to live it — will be something special. It will show where we are, what we can achieve, and the standards we can reach. I hope African teams are ready because it won't be easy, but we always find a way. We always compete', said a confident Mikel. African teams at the FIFA Club World Cup have so far put up strong performances. Al Ahly played out to a goalless draw against a Lionel Messi led Inter Miami FC, while former African champions and South African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns emerged victorious over Ulsan on Tuesday. Esperance will be looking to bounce back from an unfortunate defeat to Brazil's Flamengo.
Metro
7 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Arsenal sent Sesko and Gyokeres transfer warning by Wilshere
Jack Wilshere has warned Arsenal that one striker will not solve all their problems ahead of new Premier League season. Arsenal finished second for a third successive season under Mikel Arteta, falling away to Liverpool last time out as injuries took took hold of their squad. The Gunners have made it a priority to address some of those deficiencies in the summer transfer window, with a goalscoring No9 top of their wishlist. Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres appear to be the two strikers under consideration by Arsenal at this stage, with the north London club said to have held talks with both. However, Wilshere believes his former club will need more than simply one marquee signing if they are to get over the line in the league next time around. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'It's not as simple as that,' Wilshere said, speaking ahead of this weekend's Soccer Aid. 'We've seen over the years, a nine helps of course someone to put the ball in the net, but everything else needs to happen around it as well. 'A nine will definitely help but it's not the answer to everything.' But Wilshere was also confident that Arsenal don't need to rip up the script and seek radical overhaul this summer as they search for an elusive league title. 'If you look at everything they've done, Mikel came in with a five, six year plan and he has delivered all of that,' he added. 'He's delivered it, we've got better, we've grown as a club but we haven't won anything. Mikel will feel that more than anyone. They just have to find a way. More Trending 'If you look at all the data, and I know data doesn't matter but it does if you're trying to build something. 'They've probably been the best team over the last two years in the Premier League- consistently, without actually getting it over the line. So they need to do that.' As well as a striker, Arsenal are looking to replenish their options in central midfield and are already close to finalising a deal for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi. The Gunners are also reported to be keen to add depth in wide attacking areas and have been heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid star Rodrygo. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Can Estevao Willian play against Chelsea in Fifa Club World Cup? MORE: Tottenham begin talks to hijack transfer of £60m Man Utd target MORE: Arsenal plan for forgotten £35million transfer flop revealed
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal legend thinks they need more than just a striker to win the Premier League
Arsenal legend thinks they need more than just a striker to win the Premier League Arsenal legend Jack Wilshere has admitted that the Gunners need more than just a striker if they are to claim the Premier League title next season. Mikel Arteta's side finished second last season, for the third time in a row. It is great progress from where they were prior to the Spaniard taking charge, but now everybody wants to know if Arsenal have what it takes to go one step further and claim the title. Advertisement Speaking ahead of Soccer Aid, Wilshere admitted: 'They need to find a way to get it over the line. 'If you look at everything they've done, Mikel came in with a five, six year plan and he has delivered all of that. 'He's delivered it, we've got better, we've grown as a club but we haven't won anything. Mikel will feel that more than anyone. They just have to find a way.' Wilshere came through the Arsenal academy, and made his debut for the Gunners aged 16 in 2008. The Englishman stayed with the club for ten years, making almost 200 appearances. However, his career was cut short by injury and he was forced into retirement at the age of 30. Advertisement During his time at Arsenal, Wilshere spent five years playing in midfield alongside Arteta. On the team managed by his former teammate, he explained: 'If you look at all the data, and I know data doesn't matter but it does if you're trying to build something. 'They've probably been the best team over the last two years in the Premier League- consistently, without actually getting it over the line. So they need to do that.' Despite Arsenal's point tally last season, there was still a blatant gap in their squad. The Gunners do not boast a proper centre forward in their ranks. Many believe that signing an elite striker will be enough to turn Arsenal into a title-winning side. However, Wilshere insisted: 'It's not as simple as that. We've seen over the years, a nine helps of course someone to put the ball in the net, but everything else needs to happen around it as well. 'A nine will definitely help but it's not the answer to everything.'
