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Having already qualified for the next stage of the Champions League, tonight's game against Porto is not exactly the biggest game of the season for Chelsea but for John Obi Mikel it could mark a turning point in his career at Stamford Bridge.
It was just four months ago that coach Carlo Ancelotti backed midfielder Mikel to be a major part of his revolution at Stamford Bridge.
To many observers, the Nigeria international has failed to live up to his potential since his £16million move from Lyn Oslo to the club in 2006.
Ancelotti's arrival in the summer had given him a new lease of life after a few years of stagnation in south west London. It appeared the controversy of his transfer, where he seemed to be originally heading to Manchester United rather than the Blues, would overshadow his career.
He showed muted progress under previous managers Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink before Ancelotti took the helm and even though he signed a new long-term contract in the summer, the jury in the stands was still out.
A niggling ankle injury has further hampered his plans to secure a regular starting spot in Ancelotti's team and speculation has mounted that the former AC Milan coach is looking elsewhere for a defensive midfielder to better fulfil his requirements.
The Italian may have hailed Mikel as the new playmaker in a blue shirt on his arrival in July, however the 22-year-old's lengthy spell on the sidelines since then has ensured a less favourable point of view.
Michael Essien is set to be on the bench tonight as he rests a slight problem with his knee and it gives Mikel (right) the opportunity to prove he can not only be a solid replacement but an inspiration.
He said: "I am happy with the way things have gone with my injury. I was meant to be out for two to three months, so it is good to be back early. My ankle is still not 100 per cent. With injuries like this you have to play with the pain. It takes between four to five months before it heals properly. It still hurts but the doctors said this is what you have to deal with and you have to play with it like that. This is what I'm doing right now.
"Sometimes it's frustrating but you just have to do it. I feel fit enough. I want to help the team keep their good form going. It is what we have to do. Our aim this season is to win every title. I want to help them do this."
The first priority is to secure top position in Group D with a victory tonight in the hope Chelsea secure an easier draw in the knockout phase.
Porto have lost just once in Europe this season - a 1-0 reverse at Stamford Bridge - and victory for Jesualdo Ferreira's side will give them the edge going into the final group clash. It is very much a pressure game for Ancelotti and his Chelsea side, who have failed to sparkle on their travels in Europe this season.
Ancelotti said: "Porto are a good team but while we respect them we have no fear. We want to put our personality and quality on the pitch. We want to arrive at first place in the group."
The encounter with Porto is just the first of four away matches which could have a large say in how well Chelsea do this season. John Terry certainly feels the next two weeks, where the club face matches against Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League as well as Blackburn in the Carling Cup, could make or break their season.
The captain added: "It's four away games in a row. That's the challenge major title-winning teams rise to."
Reader views (4)
I find this article quite laughable. To call Mikel's tenure at Chelsea a failure or something close to it is preposterous. The majority of fans - that understand their football - are under no illusions regarding the class of the young man. Adapting his game from being an attacking midfielder to a defensive one alone shows his quality. Plus, all his managers have consistently had many words of praise for him. Jose Mourinho, I believe, paid him the greatest compliment when he said that Mikel can "pass his way out of a tight situation". All of us fans think the same. Mikel, I believe, is going to be a part of Chelsea's impending great future and is one of the 1 or 2 leading candidates from the next generation to succeed John Terry as club captain.
- David, London
I must say I find it hard to be too effusive about Mikel's performances for Chelsea. For such a talent he has proved an enormmous disappointment to many Chelsea fans. He cannot shoot, he struggles to pass further than 10 yards and seems to have become a poor version of Claude Makelele. There is no doubt he is still young enough to evolve, however on his showing so far, I would give him a 5 out of 10 and expect significantly greater progress over the next 2 seasons. His performance against Wolves on Saturday was admirable, but frankly I think I could have looked good against Wolves who were woefully poor. We are yet to see Chelsea put in a top class performance against a top side this season. United and Liverpool were uninspiring wins, let's hope we can deliver on Sunday at Emirates.
- Tim L, London
Teepie agree - Mikel has all the attributes to become a world beater - and from working with the players and management he has been tutored under over the last few years I predict over the next 18 months he will mature into a vital part of the Chelsea winning machine.
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia
I don't share your sentiments. Thanks goodness, you say its a speculation. Carlo has no alternative plans for Mikel. He was injured and all players get injured sometimes. Mikel is an outstanding player and don't forget, he is naturally an attacking player and still 22. He has a lot to bring in to the team and some of us adore him.
- Teepie, LOS
