Mikel- We want to beat Drogba

Mikel Obi

Mikel Obi has reflected on the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League, after Chelsea were paired to play Galatasaray on Monday. Didier Drogba who now stars for the Turkish side will return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving Chelsea.

The Super Eagles midfielder who spoke with Chelseafc.com said he and his teammates would not be carried away by Drogba’s return but would rather focus on beating Galatasaray and picking their full points.

The tie, which sees Chelsea travel to Istanbul for the first leg, affords Blues supporters an opportunity to show their appreciation for the eight years’ service Drogba gave the club, a spell which culminated with the Ivorian winning us the Champions League in Munich with his very last kick in a Chelsea shirt Chelseafc.com reports.

Mikel said yesterday that he was yet to hear from Drogba, but while understandably looking forward to facing his friend and former team-mate, stressed the importance of focusing on overcoming a side now managed by Roberto Mancini.

He said, “I’m sure he will text very soon, he’s probably having a drink after seeing the draw, but it will be great to have him back. We shouldn’t get carried away about him coming back; he is a player that was here for eight years, he won major trophies, he’s a big player with a big personality.

“Obviously he had to move on but Chelsea continue, we have to win games, he’s coming here with his new club, Galatasaray, who we want to beat, so we shouldn’t get carried away about him coming back, we want to win the game.”

The game will be the first clash between the two sides since they met in the group stages of the 1999/2000 tournament. Chelsea won 1-0 at home and then recorded their biggest Champions League away win over in Turkey with a 5-0 victory.

Galatasaray secured their place in the knockout stage courtesy of a narrow 1-0 win over Juventus in their final group game, with Wesley Sneijder scoring the crucial goal, and the Dutchman, as Mikel explained, is just one more player Chelsea will need to keep tabs on.

“They are a great team. Didier, Wesley, they have a good team and obviously they have Roberto Mancini who is trying to implement his philosophy and change the way they play.

“It will be tough but it’s a game we’re looking forward to. It will be good to meet old rivals, who you have played against in the past, as well as old team-mates.”

Galatasaray supporters are renowned for their passionate backing and their ability to make life difficult for opposing players. Mikel is aware of the kind of atmosphere.

“We know what to expect from the fans,” he explained. “They will be on top of their team and support them but it’s up to us to not listen to them and make sure we go out there and play our game.”