John Obi Mikel is pleased to have shouldered a big responsibility at Chelsea Football Club.

With Michael Essien out of the Blues side with a long-term injury, Luiz Felipe Scolari has turned to the Nigerian youngster to anchor the midfield in the absence of the Ghanaian.

"The coach said to me 'you are this team - when you don't play well, the team doesn't play well'," he said "So I felt big pressure but it means I go out there to make sure the team plays well and wins.

"It puts pressure on me but good pressure because I think it shows he's pleased with me and thinks I can live up to the task. All I have to do is keep going and keep doing the right things.

"And at the end of the season, I can look back and say 'I didn't disappoint him'. Football is all about belief and I think Luiz Felipe Scolari has belief in me."