UEFA Champions League winner, John Mikel Obi will tomorrow file out with his Chelsea teammates against Premier League defending champions, Manchester City, in what promises to be a thrilling Community Shield encounter to kickstart the new English soccer season.

With pre-season preparations being winded up, both teams would be engaged in a supremacy battle - a game of pride for the contending sides who’ll be out to prove certain points.

On a personal level however, Super Eagles star, Mikel would tango with City’s Ivorien star, Yaya Toure and both players will be out to outdo themselves in the midfield war. It would be recalled that both Africans played big roles in their respective clubs successful campaign last season which saw Mikel’s Chelsea win the English FA Cup while Toure won the Premier League with City in a dramatic style.

Mikel who is the younger of the two stars, has finally come of age and is set to be the pivot of the Blues’ midfield even though in a more defensive position. But while the Nigerian is not bereft of attacking qualities, strict compliance with coach Di Matteo’s instructions would limit his foray upfront especially with Chelsea boasting of several all-out attacking players in the middle.

For Toure however, the Ivorien is a veteran known as a box-to-box player who can easily switch from defensive to attacking midfield role during matches. But at 29, the Champions League winner with Barcelona in 2008/09, might start getting rusty at the edges which could reduce his mobility. And that’s where Mikel might get the better of the City trojan as Mikel would be expected to checkmate Toure’s tendency to dominate the game in the midfield.