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...
Davido, Burna Boy to feature in NPFL All-Star...
Chelsea beat Spurs to reach EFL Cup final...
NFF lied over Super Eagles World Cup jerseys...
Drogba Offers Hospital As COVID-19 Center
REUNITED: Man Utd star Marcus Rashford Is Back...
Man City aren't new Invincibles - Guardiola
Ajibade’s PSG suffer nine-point deduction
Ondo State hosts Business Network golf tourney
Retaining WAFCON trophy difficult but possible – Nnadozie
NBF trials for C’wealth Games begin March 1
Adeshina joins Bowerman watch list
Enyimba management faces probe over $1m CAF money
Anambra Police Set For Medal Haul At All Police Games In Asaba
Rivers name seven-man LOC for 2026 NDG
Edo okays two-week closed camping ahead of Niger Delta Games
SWAN wants Olympic Stadium, Sports Sector Rejig In Anambra
Ademola Lookman Becomes Nigeria’s Second-Most Expensive Player After Move to Atletico Madrid
Silva hails Chukwueze progress
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,528 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,832 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,728 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,383 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,307 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,218 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,089 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,638 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,814 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,336 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,732 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,196 views)