By Jacob Ajom

Nigeria’s midfielder, John Obi Mikel has joined the growing list of Chelsea star players who will sit out and watch their colleagues trade tackles at the 2010 World Cup as they have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries.

Chelsea, winners of the English Premier League and Football Association (FA)Cup, are unusually leading the pack of teams whose players, would not be gracing the pitches of South Africa, due to injuries these players suffered during the grueling football season just gone by.

*NOT A LAUGHING MATTER -This is not a laughing matter as they have been ruled out of the World Cup

First to become doubtful for the World Cup was Ghana captain, Michael Essien, who joined the injury list since last year and despite all attempts to make him get fit, failed to pass the fitness test and thus became the first Chelsea star to exit the big stage, unceremoniously.

Essien had been sidelined for several months that he watched his colleagues win the FA Cup and the league from the stands.

It was then the turn of his Nigerian colleague, John Obi Mikel who got injured and went under the surgeon’s knife just before the end of the season. He too limped to the stadium to receive his winner’s medal when both the FA Cup and the Premier League were concluded.

*Walking home - Mikel Obi walks towards the Nigerian bus in South Africa

For German captain, Michael Ballack, his case was even more pathetic as he picked his injury in the FA Cup final against relegated Portsmouth side. Ballack’s World Cup dream was shattered and has since been ruled out of the fiesta.

As at the weekend,  the list of Chelsea casualties was still growing as the Ivorian captain, Didier Drogba, was feared out after suffering a severe knock on his elbow during the Elephant’s 2 – 0 win in a friendly match against Japan on Wednesday. But Ivory Coast FA officals have said their captain would be fit to play in the World Cup.

England captain, Rio Ferdinand joined the list of casualties from the Premiership as he picked up a knock on his knee after a tackle with Emile Hesky

Mikel’s withdrawal has been enveloped by controversy as some reports claim the Chelsea player willingly withdrew because he feared putting his career at risk if he went ahead to participate in the Mundial