By Olalekan Okusan with agency report
Having played alongside John Obi Mikel at Chelsea, Middlesbrough’s midfielder, George Saville believes the huge work being carried out by the Nigerian does not get the needed plaudits.
Saville, who alongside Mikel were special guests at MFC Foundation on Tuesday told TeessideLive that he is “absolutely buzzing” to have Mikel in the ranks and says Boro are benefiting from the experienced Nigerian on and off the pitch.
Saville was well aware of the quality of player – and person of Mikel, adding that Boro were getting the quality when they captured the midfielder in January.
Mikel has slotted seamlessly into the Boro side, taking no time at all to readjust to life back in England after a stint in China.
“He’s just got that presence,” says Saville.
“You just know he’s there all the time. He does all this stuff that a footballer won’t usually get credit for but he’s been getting the plaudits, which is good.
“He does the hard stuff really easy. He’s been a big lift for us.”
Saville added: “I was with him at Chelsea and he was the same back then. I’m absolutely buzzing to have him here to be honest.
“He’s a really nice guy off the field as well. He’s a fantastic guy. He’s polite, which goes a long way for me. He’s really nice to have around the place.”
Mikel’s arrival, says Saville, has allowed the other midfielders to express themselves in the front third. The former Millwall man scored at West Brom in what was Mikel’s league debut and Lewis Wing has thrived in a slightly more advanced role of late.
Saville joined fellow midfielders Mikel and Lewis Wing at the Herlingshaw Centre on Tuesday as special guests at an MFC Foundation event.