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•  Madrid keen to keep Ramos
• Anichebe seeks more laurels
• Yobo, others give Moyes defensive worries
• Scolari: I'd love Ronaldo at Chelsea
• Martins gives Toon concern

Shape up or ship out! Scolari warns Mikel Obi

By DIPO OKUBANJO

THERE are growing fears that John Mikel Obi may be asked to leave Chelsea during the January transfer window should the Nigerian midfielder fail to impress manager Luis Fillipe Scolari between now and then.

Mikel has had to scramble for considerable playing time since the arrival of Scolari at Stamford Bridge. However, the sale of Claude Makelele and the long-term injury to Ghana international Michael Essien now gives Mikel a chance at an extended run as a combative defensive midfielder in the squad.

Reportedly, Scolari,had on arrival at Chelsea realised he had more than enough players jostling for midfield roles and was almost declaring a couple of them as surplus to requirement, but the departure of Makelele meant he the Brazilian had to shelve the idea.

England internationals Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, Portuguese Deco, France's Flaurent Malouda and Germany's captain Michael Ballack are the other prominent midfielders within the Chelsea fold.

"Mikel's obvious power and decent technique make him more akin to Javier Mascherano at Liverpool than the now Paris based Makelele; but it is a kind of player that is very useful in the Premier League.

"But if Mikel can't convince Luis Scolari of his quality by Christmas then he may well get replaced in January. The door has opened for Mikel - he has three months to persuade everyone that he is good enough to come through it,"
An obviously talented player, Mikel whose supposed lack of commitment to international duty has attracted scathing criticisms, joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006 but it was a controversial deal which cost the Blues £16million. He was an instant hit with former manager Jose Mourinho and the Chelsea fans,however the last 12 months at Chelsea have been awkward for the 22-year-old. Already there have been some complaints about his form this season, there is little doubt that the extended run in the team that beckons could answer those doubters.