John Obi Mikel returned to Barclays Premier League action for Chelsea in the goalless draw against Liverpool on Sunday after arriving back from the African Cup of Nations with a scare over the possible loss of his sight.
The 20-year-old midfield player was poked in the eye after a clash with Anthony Annan during Nigeria’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat by Ghana and he was forced to leave the field. Mikel, who replaced Frank Lampard during the second half of the match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, revealed that he feared he had suffered damage to his eye.
“I couldn’t see when I went back on the pitch and I had to go off,” Mikel said. “When the ball was coming, I couldn’t see it properly. I didn’t swap shirts with Michael Essien [his Chelsea teammate] after the game because of the eye injury.
“It was hurting too much to worry about swapping shirts. It’s a bit better but it is still a bit painful. At the time it really hurt. I thought I’d lost my eyesight when I was lying on the floor but thankfully everything is fine.”
On Sunday, Mikel’s midfield skills could not provide his team with the goal that would have helped them to close the gap on Arsenal, the league leaders, and Manchester United, who are second in the table. United were surprisingly beaten at home 2-1 by Manchester City before Chelsea began their match.
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Avram Grant, the Chelsea first-team coach, admitted that Sunday’s game had not been the most entertaining he had seen, but was happy that Essien, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, his strikers, returned from international duty.
Grant’s delight was mirrored by John Terry, the captain, who is also back in training. The England defender insists that he will be fit in time for the Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur on February 24, although Grant has his doubts.
Terry believes that the return of the African players will provide the club with a huge lift at a critical time of the season and their record of 76 home league games undefeated could also play a big part in determining the outcome of the title race.
“We could have a full squad again soon,” Terry said. “A big credit goes to all the players who have kept us in touching distance of the two clubs above us over the last couple of months. They’ve been brilliant and as a result everyone coming back is going to have to fight for their places.
“They’re going to be a big boost to the team. It is February and yet again we are still in contention for all four trophies. With the injuries and upheavals we’ve had this season it’s a magnificent effort from all the boys.
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“Manchester United and Arsenal have got to play at the Bridge and we cannot forget our record at home.”