The future of John Mikel Obi at Chelsea has come under huge questions after the defensive midfielder was once again left out of the starting line-up against the Spanish club Valencia in the final group match of the Champions League.

This was a highly important match for Chelsea given the context of the game. There was a real chance that Chelsea could go out of the Champions League at the group stages itself if they did not win against Valencia. Despite being highly crucial, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas decided to go for the inexperience of Romeu in favour of the much more experienced John Mikel Obi.

It seems that Andre Villas-Boas has decided that John Mikel Obi is not good enough for Chelsea. The defensive midfielder has lost his place in the side since the 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Stamford bridge. John Mikel Obi was at fault – by conceding possession far too easily – for the opening goal. He was substituted in the match at half-time itself and has not started a match since then. The 20-year-old Romeu – signed from Barcelona in the summer for just £ 4 million – has captured the attention of many since making the debut in the Carling cup. Now, it seems that he has convinced that manager Villas-Boas more than anybody else that he is the right man to replace John Mikel Obi.

“The manager gives us a lot of freedom to make our own choices, the chance to play in our own individual styles. He does not want us to play so direct, as they are used to in English football I came here because there was more chance of playing and to be playing in games of this magnitude - against Valencia and against City - is a marvel,” Romeu said after the Valencia match.