By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 5, 2022
Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed that joining London giants Chelsea was the best decision of his life.
After impressing at the Under-20 World Cup in 2005, Mikel caught the eye of Legendary Manchester United coach Sir Alex Fergusson, who wanted to sign him in 2006.
The then 17-year-old star was very close to completing the transfer, and according to reports, he had already signed a contract with the Red Devils.
However, Mikel opted for a move to Chelsea at the last minute, in one of the most controversial deals in transfer history.
The 35-year-old called time on his career last week, and he was not short of encomiums.
Mikel was illustrious at Chelsea, and he remains one of the most decorated Nigerian players. Mikel won the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup.
The Ex-international is content with his success, during his time in London, and he believes that moving to Chelsea was the best thing to do after all.
“I don’t regret any decision I made because I enjoyed everything I achieved at Chelsea – it’s the best decision I have ever made in my life,” Mikel told BBC Sport Africa.
“I signed a pre-contract for Manchester United when I was 17. If you are a kid and you see Sir Alex Ferguson right in front of you with the contract, of course, you will be tempted.”
“I acted as a young kid and as soon as Chelsea heard the news, they came and got me out of Norway.
“That’s when people started saying that I was kidnapped. It wasn’t a great moment for me then. I just wanted to play football because I was so young,” Mikel added.
Mikel left Chelsea in 2017, after which he had spells in Tianjin TEDA, Middlesbrough, Trabzonspor, Stoke City, and Kuwait. However, he was unable to add more trophies to his cabinet after he left the Blues.
Source Sporting Sun
Posted October 5, 2022
You may also like...
Jesus Could Miss Crucial Liverpool Clash
Etebo Completes Getafe Loan Move
Anambra Sports Boss Congratulates New Minister Ewan-Enoh
De Gea Practicing Penalties With Spain
Madrid’s Mbappe suffers thigh injury before Atletico derby...
Chinedu Obasi faces China exit
Chelsea, City clash headlines EPL actions
Okoye targets clean record Milan in clash
NFF unveils Flamingo squad for W’Cup qualifying camp
Real Madrid denies plans to appoint sporting director
UBA Pensions ready for annual sports meet
Forget Wilder, fight me; Fury tells Joshua
Onuachu lacks rhythm in Eagles setup – Lawal
Ukah faces Osigwe in historic all-Nigerian PFL clash
UCL: Lookman set for Atletico return against Barca
Organisers brace for National Schools Football tourney
Semi Final Teams Emerge As Coast Clear For Final Ceremony Of 7th U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament
Okoye keeps seventh clean sheet in Como draw
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,692 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,019 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,933 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,535 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,463 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,369 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,228 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,772 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,959 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,468 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,876 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,344 views)