SOCCER:ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS has praised the mental strength of Mikel John Obi as he has played on through the trauma of his father's kidnap ordeal in Nigeria. The Chelsea manager had to break news of the situation to Mikel last Saturday, the eve of their opening Premier League fixture at Stoke City.
Mikel’s agent, John Shittu, described the midfielder as being “totally devastated” as he came to terms with his father Michael’s abduction after he left work last Friday in Jos, the capital of Plateau State in central Nigeria. The kidnappers have demanded an €90,000 ransom.
But Mikel, with the encouragement of his family, chose to play in the 0-0 draw against Stoke – he came through the 90 minutes – and, after a week’s training in Cobham, has made himself available for the visit of West Bromwich Albion today.
“He has shown amazing mental toughness,” Villas-Boas said. “I wouldn’t like to go into private conversations we’ve had . . . it’s a pretty sensitive situation and pretty traumatic.
“I just have to go with the word my player gives to me and for the game against Stoke, Mikel felt well to play.
“He has made himself available for training and selection this week so I will just judge it like that,” added the Chelsea boss.
“People go through big disappointments and personal things in their lives and they can still be able to play because they feel well on the pitch to avoid the things that are running in their personal lives.
“They can focus on different things.
“Players react in different ways. Some players want straight away to go back to their families while others prefer to be like this and live on day by day, and not because they think they are distanced from where it is happening. It’s their choice.”
Villas-Boas admitted that it was “not easy” to tell Mikel of the horror – he took the decision after a discussion with Shittu and the Chelsea technical director, Michael Emenalo – and he noted that it would have been “unfair” of the player to have been criticised for his performance by people who were not abreast of the background.
As it was, Villas-Boas felt that Mikel played well; he almost scored what would probably have proved a winning goal with a volley from the edge of the penalty area.
Mikel made an emotional appeal for his father’s safe return on Monday, as he has also fought to maintain his professional focus.
“The manager felt he had to tell me and he told me everything, so I was kind of shocked,” Mikel said.
“He asked me if I still wanted to play against Stoke and I said I wanted to.
“I would not want to let my team down, my club down and my family, as well.”
While Mikel is likely to feature today, Villas-Boas’ biggest selection dilemma will be between Hilario and Ross Turnbull in goal following Petr Cech’s injury.
