EPL: I snubbed Man Utd for Chelsea to help three Nigerian players – Mikel Obi

 

 By Ifreke Inyang

 

Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has admitted he had to sign for Chelsea in 2006, because the futures of three other Nigerian players were tied to the deal.

Mikel spent 11 trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge after signing from Norwegian club, Lyn Oslo.

However, the transfer was enmeshed in controversy, as he had initially signed for Manchester United.

Mikel Obi then claimed he was forced to put pen to paper for the Red Devils.

This led to a legal battle between Lyn Oslo, Man Utd and Chelsea, while FIFA also intervened.

At the end, Mikel Obi eventually signed for Chelsea, who paid a compensation fee of £12m to Manchester United and £4m to Lyn.

During that period, three of Mikel Obi’s teammates at U-20 level, Chinedu Obasi, Emmanuel Sarki and Ezekiel Bala, were also undergoing trials at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel Obi told The Athletic: “When I chose Chelsea, it wasn’t just my life that changed.

“There were four lives that changed. Why? Because if I didn’t, Chelsea might not have anything to do with my three friends. I was close to them. I knew their families.

“I didn’t just make the decision for myself. I thought about them, I thought about their families. This gave them more of a chance.”