Mikel: I can replace Makelele

MIKEL JOHN OBI is confident he can take over from Claude Makelele in the Chelsea midfield after the departure of the veteran Frenchman.

Following his controversial move to Chelsea in June 2006, 21-year-old Mikel has only fulfilled a role as a squad player at Stamford Bridge.

But after being handed the holding midfield role during Wednesday’s pre-season friendly victory in China, new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first game in charge, the Nigerian is now ready to take his chance after Makelele departed for Paris St