Middlesbrough of England star, John Mikel Obi has been described as the English Championship club’s rock that provides them with stability, zeal, motivation, quality and experience, especially in the middle.
This is the verdict of one of Mikel’s teammates, Britt Assombalonga, who sports247.ng reports disclosed that the Super Eagles’ skipper does not lord himself over younger players in the team, but is ever ready to encourage his colleagues by allowing them to show their qualities.
Mikel received extra plaudits from the DR Congo international, who is also in awe of the former Chelsea star’s influence and abilities, which led him into describing the Nigerian icon as an ‘uncle.’
Assombalonga added: “You can just see the pure quality he brings to the pitch in midfield in every game.
“When you have that quality and experience on the pitch you always have an extra edge and an advantage.
“He lets the other boys in midfield go out and express themselves. He is incredible. He drags players towards him.
“That creates space somewhere else and then he gets the ball, keeps the ball and threads it into those empty space for someone to use.
“You can give him the ball even when he has players on him and he always gets out of sticky situations and finds space.
“You can give him the ball absolutely anywhere on the pitch and he will manoeuvre and find a space.
“(He will create) an angle and find a way to give it to someone else in a better position. He’s awesome.”
