Mikel afraid of scoring more goals JOHN Obi Mikel claims that he is scared to score goals – thanks to boss Jose Mourinho. Mikel grabbed a rare goal in Chelsea’s 2-0 FA Cup win at Derby on Sunday. But he claims his woeful tally of just four strikes in 300 appearances is because of threats from Mourinho if he abandons his anchorman role for goal glory. The Nigerian star broke the deadlock with a header to steer Chelsea safely into the fourth round. Mourinho took the mickey out of him afterwards, saying he did not realise Mikel was such a prolific force in front of goal. But the 26-year-old revealed he only pops up once in a blue moon for a reason. Mikel was quoted in Daily Star as saying, “I wish I could score every time. But the most important thing the manager wants me to do is to keep the shape for the team. “He gets more upset when we concede a goal on the counter-attack. That is when he gets really, really mad. “He’s always wanted me to be there in front of the back four and I’ve always done that job.” That does not mean he had to hold back on celebrating his milestone. “I was told it was my 300th game just before the match,” he said. “My job was to get on the first post for the free-kicks – and that is exactly what I did. “I just want to keep going and enjoy my time here. I will just keep doing what I do and help this team be successful and win trophies.” Mikel believes there is no better man than Mourinho to be in the saddle as the season starts to get serious. He added, “He is the best, without a shadow of doubt. He is just great. He is great around the dressing room and around the training ground. “We have the best manager. He is unbelievable. He knows how to communicate with the players. He always wants us to play a certain way and give 110 per cent. If you don’t, you’re out.” That is why Mikel feels Chelsea can still make a telling push in the title race. The Blues are currently third, just two points below leaders Arsenal. “People say that Chelsea always come out very strong in the second half of the season and it just shows the mentality we have,” he added. “Players then believe we can go on and beat anyone. “If you don’t play for Chelsea, you don’t know what trophies mean to this club. Every year you have to win something and this is pressure.” Culled from PUNCH