John Mikel Obi has lifted the lid on his tug-of-war transfer from Manchester United to Chelsea and the false claims emanating from Norway that he had been kidnapped in the midst of it all.
Obi was at the heart of a ferocious dispute between two of English football's giants in 2005 when they fought for his signature from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo.
After initially signing for United prior to the 2004-05 season ending, the Nigerian refused to report for training Lyn Oslo - instead flying to London to try and force a move to Chelsea.
Obi claimed at the time that he was pressured into signing for United - where he was even pictured in the shirt - and Chelsea still believe they will land him.
Fast-forward to just over 12 months and the Nigerian got his wish after Chelsea, Lyn Olso and United agreed a deal that saw him join the Blues.
Before he officially joined the west London outfit though, there were incorrect reports he had been kidnapped during the height of the issues - with erronous stories all over Norwegian TV.
And reflecting on that protracted saga, Obi admits it wasn't a great time for him.
'I acted as a young kid and as soon as Chelsea heard the news, they came and got me out of Norway,' he told BBC Sport Africa.
'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.'
And the decision to join Chelsea instead of United didn't prove a rueful one for Obi who became one of the club's most decorated players. During his 11-year stint he won the Champions League, Europa League, two Premier Leagues, two League Cups and four FA Cups.
'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,' he continued.
'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.'
Mikel left Chelsea in 2017 and went on to play in China, Turkey and Kuwait as well as stints at Middlesbrough and Stoke.
In September he announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
Meeaeituyz
0
Joginho is only good for Penalty in Chelsea color these days. He can't make and make good passes. Gives the ball away easily in dangerous positions. A retired Obi is better than a Playing Joginho. period!
Catnprz
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Quinton Fortune,a South African left back
I know dat’s who u will end up calling, now compare him 2 Mikel who’s more successful? And who also comes from d bench like u claimed he always did at Chelsea. It’s not only fortune, u would’ve called djemba djemba as well… and let me shock u here, I’m a fellow utd fan but hate dat stupid legacy dat none African players has been successful through us in our team. If u ain’t biases den u will kn wat I’m talking about here ok.
vupcdeiosu
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Show me 1 successful African player from Manchester utd’s history?
Quinton Fortune,a South African left back
jiuadekltz
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prime Obi Mikel was better than jorgihno
Mutbcdinop
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okay here is the question, obi or jorginho? who's better?
exactly, obi is better.
Dahaceinor
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Had he joined Manchester united, he would not have been converted to play defensive midfield and he would have become a super star and wouldn't have started most of his matches on the bench.
Man U under Sir Alex didn’t like African players he was right to go to Chelsea!!
Dahaceinor
1
okay here is the question, obi or jorginho? who's better?
Don’t disrespect 😂😂 Obi can man mark score and create, jorghino just misses penalty!😂😂
Mopeimrty
2
Obi is far better than Joginho
nuscelptyz
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Had he joined Manchester united, he would not have been converted to play defensive midfield and he would have become a super star and wouldn't have started most of his matches on the bench.
You are 100% wrong. He would have rot on the bench bcus African players have no records at Man Utd
Catnprz
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Had he joined Manchester united, he would not have been converted to play defensive midfield and he would have become a super star and wouldn't have started most of his matches on the bench.
Show me 1 successful African player from Manchester utd’s history?
MrMakaveli
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Yes Like Pogba U think Mikel will dispose the likes of Scholes and Giggs in United midfield at d time
Why not? It's football
zebaderst
1
okay here is the question, obi or jorginho? who's better?
obi is better than jorginho far far
Mutbcdinop
1
okay here is the question, obi or jorginho? who's better?
yung87
2
During the periods from 2005 to 2017, he would have won 19 trophies but he had 12 trophies during da same time at Chelsea. The trophy he couldn't win at Chelsea was the CWC during the same periods. Some people are alleging that he wouldn't have been converted to a DMF if he had continued at United as an AMF but that would have seen him compete for places against Scholes and Roy Keane n possibly Ji Sung Park, Anderson, and Tevez. Mourinho had alternative position aside the AMF position where we had Lampard. Obi assessed his playing chances before making his decision. There's no doubt every new Chelsea couldn't do without Mikel at the DMF place.
Harkdem
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Had he joined Manchester united, he would not have been converted to play defensive midfield and he would have become a super star and wouldn't have started most of his matches on the bench.
Trash talk 🗑 👎
aladegold
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Had he joined Manchester united, he would not have been converted to play defensive midfield and he would have become a super star and wouldn't have started most of his matches on the bench.
Yes Like Pogba U think Mikel will dispose the likes of Scholes and Giggs in United midfield at d time
MrMakaveli
3
Had he joined Manchester united, he would not have been converted to play defensive midfield and he would have become a super star and wouldn't have started most of his matches on the bench.