CAPS: 30
GOALS: 2
Such is his demeanour on the field, it is easy to forget that Mikel is just 22, with many international tournaments ahead of him in his career.
A hugely prodigious talent, the young Nigerian eventually signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2006 after a protracted transfer from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo.
By then he was world famous, gaining global recognition with his display at the heart of the Nigerian midfield in the 2005 Fifa World Youth Championship, eventually losing 2-1 to Argentina in the Final. He was voted the tournament's second best player, behind Lionel Messi.
Two months later, Mikel was making his full Nigeria debut in a 1-0 away win against Libya, before scoring in his second game during the 2006 Cup of Nations, where Nigeria eventually finished third. Mikel also netted a penalty during the successful quarter-final shootout against Tunisia, before semi-final defeat to Ivory Coast and future team-mate Didier Drogba.
Powerfully built with a superb touch to match, Mikel was touted as a perfect playmaker early in his career, but has since adapted to a more defensive role, particularly with Chelsea where he patrols the area in front of the defence.
Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup was put behind him with some outstanding individual performances at the 2008 African Nations (including a group stage goal against Benin), though again the Super Eagles could not reach the final stage, eliminated in the quarter-finals.
A late recovery in qualifying this time around secured a spot at the 2010 World Cup, and Nigeria will have high hopes of progressing into the last 16 at least. A successful Cup of Nations will only serve to increase confidence, and Mikel will be important to their hopes.
