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Like his fellow younger members of the squad, Salomon Kalou and Lassana Diarra, Mikel increasingly found his skilful feet as the 2006/7 season progressed.

He had been a squad addition the previous summer when an agreement was reached with Manchester United and Norwegian club Lyn Olso that allowed Chelsea to sign the then 19 year-old Nigerian midfielder for a combined £16 million.

A powerfully-built young man, with exceptional ball skills, his standing as one of the brightest young talents in the game had been confirmed at the African Cup of Nations earlier that year, his senior international debut having come in August 2005.

Previously Mikel had starred in the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Youth Championships where he was voted the tournament's second best player as Nigeria made the final. The player trained with Chelsea for one week in the winter of 2004 and José Mourinho had seen enough to wish to sign him.

The manager said: 'Everybody was in love, not just me. The players were amazed at a young boy coming and training with us with such quality.

'Later we saw him in the African Cup of Nations playing like a giant. He was at an unbelievable level and we know what a player he can be.'

Following on from the transfer of Kalou the same summer, the arrival of Mikel confirmed Chelsea's determination to add exciting young talent as well as established stars to the squad.

Having smoothed out some rough edges both on and off the pitch, Mourinho increasingly used Mikel's talent in the holding midfield role, especially when requiring a long range of passing.

Named Chelsea Young Player of the Year, he survived an injury scare the week before to play the whole of the 2007 FA Cup Final win.

His 2007/8 campaign has seen Mikel grow in the 'Makelele' role, often playing alongside or instead of his mentor in the centre of the park.