Fulham’s Alex Iwobi has cemented his place in the record books, surpassing John Obi-Mikel to become the Nigerian player with the most minutes played in the English Premier League, as per the transfer market.
Iwobi achieved this historic feat when he featured in the entire 90 minutes duration of Fulham’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle.
By playing the entire game, Alex Iwobi took his Premier League minutes to 16,289, surpassing the record set by John Mikel Obi (16,218 minutes) during his eleven years stay at Chelsea.
Mikel’s Reign Ends
Mikel, the former Super Eagles captain, had held the record since his debut for Chelsea in 2006. Despite leaving Chelsea in 2016-2017 and not playing for another Premier League club, he remained the leader in this category for Nigerian players.
Mikel enjoyed over a decade trophy-laden spell at Chelsea, collecting two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the prestigious 2011-12 Champions League trophy.
After his Chelsea departure, he moved on to play for Tianjin TEDA, Middlesbrough, Trabzonspor, and Stoke City.
Iwobi’s Steady Rise
Iwobi, who began his Premier League journey with Arsenal before moving to Everton, where he became a regular starter, has consistently accumulated minutes throughout his career.
The 2023-24 season still has over seven games left, and Alex Iwobi’s fine form can see him get more playing time and solidify his record as the Nigerian player with the most minutes in the Premier League.
This is a significant milestone for both Iwobi and Nigerian football in the Premier League
Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino has faced consecutive defeats amid mounting pressure and questions about the team’s performance despite significant investment.
Chelsea’s recent woes under Mauricio Pochettino have sent shockwaves through the football world, with several heavy losses this season. The mounting pressure on Pochettino is undeniable, especially as comparisons are drawn to the performance of Graham Potter’s team.
Despite Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali’ssignificant investment and ambitious plans for the club, the results on the pitch have failed to reflect this commitment. Surprisingly, Chelsea’s current standing in the Premier League table suggests regression rather than progress.
In this article, we’ll delve into the most significant defeats suffered by Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, shedding light on the matches that have highlighted the struggles of the once-dominant club.
5. Chelsea 2 vs Wolves 4: (Feb 4th)
 "Alex Iwobi makes Premier League history which Mikel, Yakubu, Kanu could not achieve 2")
In the match against Wolves at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea succumbed to a 4-2 defeat, showcasing vulnerabilities in their defensive setup yet again. Matheus Cunha’s hat-trick emphasized the team’s struggles to contain opposing attacks, amplifying concerns over their defensive solidity under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership.
This loss marked the second occasion within a week that Chelsea had conceded four goals, following their 4-1 defeat to Liverpool just days earlier. The back-to-back heavy defeats intensified pressure on Pochettino as questions arose about his ability to shore up Chelsea’s defense and steer the team back to winning ways.
4. Liverpool 4 vs Chelsea 1: (31st Jan)
 "Alex Iwobi makes Premier League history which Mikel, Yakubu, Kanu could not achieve 3")
In one of the most significant setbacks for Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino’s management, they suffered a resounding 4-1 defeat against Liverpool. The match saw Diogo Jota and Conor Bradley scoring for Liverpool, leaving Chelsea trailing at halftime for the first time in the Premier League season.
Despite Darwin Nunez hitting the post with a penalty and several near misses, Chelsea couldn’t capitalize on opportunities. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool continued to dominate, with Dominik Szoboszlai adding a third goal in Klopp’s first Premier League game since announcing his departure at the end of the season.
Although Christopher Nkunku pulled one back for Chelsea, any hope of a comeback was dashed by Luis Diaz’s goal. The defeat kept Chelsea in 10th place in the Premier League, which they eventually lost their best chance of winning the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
3. Newcastle United 4 vs Chelsea 1: (Nov 25th)
 "Alex Iwobi makes Premier League history which Mikel, Yakubu, Kanu could not achieve 4")
In a challenging Premier League fixture at St. James’ Park, Chelsea endured a significant setback under Mauricio Pochettino’s management as they succumbed to a resounding 4-1 defeat against Newcastle United.
The match saw the return of Newcastle’s striker Alexander Isak from injury, who made an immediate impact by finding the net. Despite Chelsea being reduced to 10 men during the game, Newcastle capitalized on their numerical advantage, scoring two quick goals in the second half to further cement their lead.
The match concluded with a late strike from Anthony Gordon, sealing a comprehensive victory for the Magpies and highlighting the struggles faced by Chelsea under Pochettino’s tenure.
2. Chelsea 0 vs Brentford 2: (Oct 28th)
 "Alex Iwobi makes Premier League history which Mikel, Yakubu, Kanu could not achieve 5")
In what marked a disappointing fixture for Chelsea under the management of Mauricio Pochettino, the team suffered a significant setback with a 2-0 defeat against Brentford. Despite starting the match with a promising offensive display, including winger Noni Madueke’s near-goal effort hitting the crossbar, Chelsea failed to capitalize on their chances.
The Blues’ attacking prowess faltered, with striker Nicolas Jackson, who returned to the starting lineup following an injury, failing to pose a substantial threat to Brentford’s defense.
This defeat underscored Chelsea’s struggles to convert possession into goals, highlighting ongoing challenges for Pochettino’s side as they aim to meet expectations in the Premier League.
1. West Ham 3 vs Chelsea 1 ( Aug 20th)
 "Alex Iwobi makes Premier League history which Mikel, Yakubu, Kanu could not achieve 6")
In what became one of Chelsea’s heaviest defeats under Mauricio Pochettino’s management this season, they suffered a 3-1 loss to West Ham at the London Stadium.
The match was marked by an impressive start from the Hammers, with £30 million summer signing James Ward-Prowse making an immediate impact on his debut by providing an assist within the first seven minutes.
Despite Chelsea’s efforts, including playing with ten men, they were unable to overcome West Ham’s determined performance, with Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio sealing the victory with second-half goals
The defeat highlighted the challenges Chelsea faced in maintaining their form and defensive solidity under Pochettino’s leadership.
