Chris Maduewesi
Member
Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia believes that John Obi Mikel has a 'larger than life attitude' that is costing the national team.
Mikel has been under the microscope,with many criticising his display while putting on the Nigerian jersey.
Siasia who coached Mikel both in the under 20 team and the Super Eagles,noted that the Chelsea midfield is arrogant and cannot be talked into how well to be beneficial to the team.
"Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating," the former national team coach told AfricanFootball.com
Mikel's displays for Nigeria has been mediocre with many even clamouring for him to be dropped.
In the last two Nations Cup qualifiers against Congo and South Africa,he once again failed to step up and lift his side when faced with difficulties in the games.
Siasia believes that Mikel should be able to learn from the criticisms he is getting and improve his game.
"From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don't think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself," argued the coach.
"He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.
“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs to improve on.
"Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done."
"As a defensive midfield player, it doesn't mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don't get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”
Mikel has been under the microscope,with many criticising his display while putting on the Nigerian jersey.
Siasia who coached Mikel both in the under 20 team and the Super Eagles,noted that the Chelsea midfield is arrogant and cannot be talked into how well to be beneficial to the team.
"Someone would have to talk to him. But to talk to Mikel, you have to be ready for your own beating," the former national team coach told AfricanFootball.com
Mikel's displays for Nigeria has been mediocre with many even clamouring for him to be dropped.
In the last two Nations Cup qualifiers against Congo and South Africa,he once again failed to step up and lift his side when faced with difficulties in the games.
Siasia believes that Mikel should be able to learn from the criticisms he is getting and improve his game.
"From what we have seen and what people are talking about, they don't think he is giving his best. But he should be able to criticise himself," argued the coach.
"He should do a self-critique. If he believes he is not doing well, he has to try and up his game.
“He has been watching the games from the World Cup, if he thinks he is not doing well, why is he not scoring, he has to be able to look at those videos and see the areas he needs to improve on.
"Nobody has to tell him. He is a professional. So, I am not going to criticise him. He has done well for this country but if he is not doing well like he used to, then something has to be done."
"As a defensive midfield player, it doesn't mean you should not go forward or try to take some shots at goal. (Nemanja) Matic is doing it, Ramires is doing it, so how come Mikel is not doing it? Why can’t he cover the box-to-box play. If you don't get into the box, you can never shoot at goal. So, that is his problem.”