Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi is delighted with his role in Luiz Felipe Scolari's side and thanked the new manager for having faith in him...

Some say it is almost as though Claude Makelele never left Stamford Bridge, such has been the smoothness with which Mikel has assumed the French legend's place in the first XI.

Originally pegged as an attacking player when Chelsea and Manchester United battled to sign him from Lyn Oslo as a teenager, the Nigerian struggled somewhat during his early years with the Blues. The presence of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Joe Cole meant opportunities were limited, while disciplinary issues both on and off the pitch threatened to derail his promising career.

But since being experimented with as a holding player by Jose Mourinho, Mikel has come on in leaps and bounds. He now channels his aggression, breaking up opposition attacks with great aplomb and consistency rather than lashing out in fatal bursts of frustration.

Avram Grant maintained the 21-year-old in this role during his short stint as manager, sometimes even using both Mikel and Makelele while moving Michael Essien to right-back.

But Scolari has gone a step further as he seeks to reshape Chelsea into the Premier League's sexiest team, pushing the Super Eagles star into an even deeper position to free up the likes of Deco, Lampard, Ballack, et al.

And Mikel is thrilled to be handed such responsibility by the former Brazil coach, insisting there is nothing better for a player's confidence than knowing the manager believes in him.

He told The Sun: “You feel more confident when a manager’s got belief in you. I make sure I don’t disappoint him and that I go out and give him what he wants.

“Anywhere in the middle is fine but most of the managers prefer me in the holding midfield role.”

Mikel's performance against Manchester United at the weekend and his efforts in general this season have alerted Europe to a new contender for the crown of world's best defensive midfielder.

The likes of Javier Mascherano, Esteban Cambiasso and Daniele De Rossi have been the front-runners in recent years, but the younger Mikel has time to develop his game further and eclipse his peers.

The aggressive African will virtually have a free run in Chelsea's first team following Essien's injury, and he is confident that this will be his break-out campaign: “I just felt that this season would probably, hopefully, be my season.”