John Obi Mikel has lifted the lid on why he chose Chelsea over Manchester United 12 years ago.

Sir Alex Ferguson thought he had won the race for the talented Nigerian's signature in 2006, and he was even pictured in a United shirt, only for him to join Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge instead.
And the 31-year-old has revealed that he made the move to the Blues in order to help some of his countrymen find a club.

Speaking to the Players' Tribune, he wrote: 'I know what you’re thinking.
'So before I tell you my story, let’s just get that bit out of the way first. It’s been more than a decade and I still get asked this one thing about my time in England.
'"Hey, what happened to you signing for Manchester United? How come you swapped for Chelsea at the last minute?" Every time.
'I’ll tell you what happened. I had all these people on both sides fighting over me. Agents, managers, strangers, guys handing me papers. I had Sir Alex Ferguson calling me on the phone on one side.
'And I had Roman Abramovich on the other side, putting me up in London, hiding me somewhere where only a few people knew where I was. It was really confusing, and I was a kid, you know?
'After a while, someone from FIFA gave me a phone call. They said, “Listen, we know you’re young and you have these two clubs fighting over you. We can’t decide for you. You can only go where you want. You have to tell us.
'I thought about it for a long time. It was the biggest decision of my life.
'You know what made my mind up? Chelsea had signed three other players from Nigeria along with me. They were staying with me at the house in London to keep me company.
'These guys… their lives depended on the decision I was making. If I went to United, they were gone. If I went to Chelsea, they were going to have a career.
'No matter how long it lasted, that was important to me. Just to give them a chance, you know?
'I chose Chelsea, and four lives changed that day.'
Mikel signed for United from Lyn Oslo in April 2005, but the move was never finalised after he claimed that he had been 'bullied' into the deal and wished to join Chelsea instead.
Chelsea agreed to pay a £12m compensation package to United to allow the move to go through.
Mikel spent over 10 years at Stamford Bridge before leaving in January 2017. He lifted two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League in 2012.
Read the full account from John Obi Mikel at the Players' Tribune
sakbckmo
0
Mikel remained my favorite player on earth, I love him every day of my life, you are a king, a mentor, a teacher, a counselor, a friend, a leader, and I celebrate you now and for ever
No good
Mipacdmop
1
where does he play now
zuwanrsz
0
Emmanuel Sarki? sorry bro Mikel didn't help that Guy to sign for Chelsea. i followed the progress of that guy when he was just 15 during the FIFA U.17 IN 2003 when Him and Mikel played for the Flying Eagles Managed by Augustine Eguavon. though the were eliminated in the group stage through coin throw. During that tournament, Chelsea scouted him,Mikel, Issac Promise, Chinedu Ogbasi and Ezekiel Bala and later Chelsea invited them for Trials.. Him and Mikel was the only one Chelsea signed. Emmanuel Sarki was a very good player during that period with a lot of pace and he signed for Chelsea before Mikel did. i don't know where the guy is now but i know he never made any appearance for Chelsea and i once saw him playing for Haiti National Team . Believe it or not Mikel did not sign for Chelsea in other to safe any body's career. His Agent needed More Money and he has to convinced him to sign for Chelsea. YOU ONLY NAME ONE PLAYER SO NAME THE OTHER THREE MIKEL CLAIMED HE HELPED.
n u can't also compare some of de European players to Mikel in terms of glories including united prayers
Vaston
1
respect👏👏👏👏
sosacdkoru
0
I love him
godykemanutd
0
he is already a legend wat more does he need to do 3 EPL 1 UEFA 3 FA its time to make money he already made a name look wat Zidane dd
Read my message very well. i never blamed him for signing for Chelsea or going to China to play his football. i am telling you have African see football and what the want in football. Africa and south america are after money though South America will also like to be playing but Africa will agree to sit on the bench once he is getting the money. Understand my message before you comment. The quality Mikel had when he was Small, sitting on the bend without threaten the club that he will leave if he is not playing is what an European player at his age can not do
godykemanutd
2
Emanuel Sarki wad one of them!
Emmanuel Sarki? sorry bro Mikel didn't help that Guy to sign for Chelsea. i followed the progress of that guy when he was just 15 during the FIFA U.17 IN 2003 when Him and Mikel played for the Flying Eagles Managed by Augustine Eguavon. though the were eliminated in the group stage through coin throw. During that tournament, Chelsea scouted him,Mikel, Issac Promise, Chinedu Ogbasi and Ezekiel Bala and later Chelsea invited them for Trials.. Him and Mikel was the only one Chelsea signed. Emmanuel Sarki was a very good player during that period with a lot of pace and he signed for Chelsea before Mikel did. i don't know where the guy is now but i know he never made any appearance for Chelsea and i once saw him playing for Haiti National Team . Believe it or not Mikel did not sign for Chelsea in other to safe any body's career. His Agent needed More Money and he has to convinced him to sign for Chelsea. YOU ONLY NAME ONE PLAYER SO NAME THE OTHER THREE MIKEL CLAIMED HE HELPED.
Fidelisnorsu
0
Mikel remained my favorite player on earth, I love him every day of my life, you are a king, a mentor, a teacher, a counselor, a friend, a leader, and I celebrate you now and for ever
Mimceilt
1
he is already a legend wat more does he need to do 3 EPL 1 UEFA 3 FA its time to make money he already made a name look wat Zidane dd
hoo sorry i forgot one,the Africa cup
Mimceilt
0
Is not his fault, He is Africa and as long as you will increase their weekly pay, they are ready to stay on the bench without playing. Mikel have a enough money now and he went to China to make more. he could have signed for West ham but he chose China
he is already a legend wat more does he need to do 3 EPL 1 UEFA 3 FA its time to make money he already made a name look wat Zidane dd
Heablpu
1
You were our and you will remain our hero as Chelsea,we celebrate you.
lewkmnsu
1
Mikel u can give us the world cup 2022 yes u can
UwakweJonathan
1
If that is the truth,you did noble thing
cisaceikou
1
money, as alternative forgone for humanity. well done, Mikel.
Riyemouz
1
you're a man
OYEJOLAB
0
so Noble of u Mikel...
SirGwin10
1
Good moved for young Mikel to Chelsea it very good for Nigeria and Africas
rialmz
0
Captain fantastic God bless you
DChuks
0
up u captain obi. a leader indeed u are.
fadabcdls
1
wow! finally revealed. you are a hero.
Philchetz
1
captain fantastic your obi
OnyekachiBoniface
0
Thanks my country man.
Africa7330624
0
He was kept/ hidden by Roman! are u deaf? or blind?
How old are you?
AssuBaba1
1
Close that filthy mouth and go back home. You all are disappointments to Africa
agujesus
1
It’s not chelsea which always has Africans. It’s Mourinho. He likes tough African players. So I always support him. And now I am fan of MU. Welcome to MU. Where Mourinho goes, I go. I love tough defense and fighters.
me too
yuwlrsuz
1
Now Obi can retire from football with tasting the world cup success, poor child
what do you mean by poor guy
Pimabikpyz
0
Now Obi can retire from football with tasting the world cup success, poor child
83Abdol
1
Yeah is sounds nice but you could have told us the names of those guy you think you saved so we can confirmed your story and believed you. For all we know you made your decision because of Money which was engineered by your agent who happens to be a greedy man just like the current Pogba's agent. Chelsea offered more money which will make your agent Richer and you of course . United paid 5 million with a little weekly pay which your agent will earn little and Chelsea offered More (12) with a higher weekly pay. Please spare us the story, first send Argentina home then we can listen more to your story
Emanuel Sarki wad one of them!
83Abdol
0
You are right. See what greed has caused him now? Maybe he wasn't even ready for the top.
He was kept/ hidden by Roman! are u deaf? or blind?
Sescdk
0
II think this fairy tale is over you made the decision now you are at 30.
Luoxueyan
2
one of the reason I have supported Chelsea coz from day one it has always have our proudly African players..salute to the blue nation..whatever happens I belong to the blue nation..drogba is legend there obi mikel victor moses mikel essien..
It’s not chelsea which always has Africans. It’s Mourinho. He likes tough African players. So I always support him. And now I am fan of MU. Welcome to MU. Where Mourinho goes, I go. I love tough defense and fighters.
Wukabdesyz
1
ABEL A SUMO from Liberia, that was the best signing Mikel ever did in his foot ball career to change four persons life.Bravo Mikel
godykemanutd
0
You are right. See what greed has caused him now? Maybe he wasn't even ready for the top.
Is not his fault, He is Africa and as long as you will increase their weekly pay, they are ready to stay on the bench without playing. Mikel have a enough money now and he went to China to make more. he could have signed for West ham but he chose China
Emmasel7
2
Today is for argentina! [goahead]
Never!!
ManjuSri
3
Thanks! 💕
Welcome 😘
bepbs
3
one of the reason I have supported Chelsea coz from day one it has always have our proudly African players..salute to the blue nation..whatever happens I belong to the blue nation..drogba is legend there obi mikel victor moses mikel essien..
AsonNyitamen
0
Ogbuke is one of them..The agent that got him for Chelsea, helped the other guys get other European clubs..There is no way he would say such if it wasn't true..
Well he said he help other Nigerian to come to Chelsea. Even if he came to Man United that same agent would have gotten those player's still
ManCity19
1
Kalou, another 2 ??
Sirlewiz
3
Absolutely the right choice there...I've always thought something was fishy and trust me if Mikel had left for Man Utd,he may never had been the player he is today.Man Utd especially under Ferguson always had something bad going for Africans.Mikel is a true legend for not putting himself first.God will keep blessing him.
Handsome Mike
1
Weldone Mike! my name sake and fellow compatriot..You chose a team that has love for black players and that was the best decision.. 10 years in a top European club isn't an easy achievement for an African player..You won the Champions League and every English trophy there is to win..Thanks for making us proud!! We understand that Man U fans still haven't forgiven you so we ain't surprised at the comments we are reading here..
Handsome Mike
2
Today is for argentina! [goahead]
Anything can happen..Don't write Nigeria off just yet.
Handsome Mike
0
What about the money factor. Plus which other Nigerian player's is he talking about?
Ogbuke is one of them..The agent that got him for Chelsea, helped the other guys get other European clubs..There is no way he would say such if it wasn't true..
Handsome Mike
2
You are right. See what greed has caused him now? Maybe he wasn't even ready for the top.
What has your greed caused him? Spent 10 freaking years in a top European club..Won the Epl, Champions League ,Fa cup, Carling cup..He practically won everything there is to win.. Trust me if he had gone to Man U, I doubt if he would have spent as much years there before being discarded like Pogba.. He is one of the most decorated African footballers today all thanks to Chelsea and Mourinho..
jammzy170
0
Wise choice bro
vibstyz
1
What about the money factor. Plus which other Nigerian player's is he talking about?
yh! he broke silence after 10year just to please you
Africa7330624
0
It will be better if Mikel stop talking about those story till he is ready to say the truth. i have been reading the post over and over, i noticed many errors like, saying the guys he helped have been signed for Chelsea so how is he then helping them if the have already be singed ? Mikel can not be in Norway and owned a house in London at the age of 18. He wasn't earning more in Lyon Oslo. or is he telling us that they guy was staying with him in Norway. He have not signed for Chelsea and yet Chelsea have already given him a house in London where the hide him. Mikel should be thankful to Ferguson who asked Manchester United to accept for Mikel to go.
You are right. See what greed has caused him now? Maybe he wasn't even ready for the top.
ashlypeejay
1
Making a vital decision for your country men shows how good and patriotic you are. I'd wished nothing else but happiness and fulfilled mind for you my guy. Go shine once again against Argentina and make Nigeria and the whole world proud
Abatism
2
Surely, there were other Nigerians from Lyn Oslo then. I think, may be, Chinedu Ogbuke(not too sure again) and two other lads were there but their names were not as pronounced as that of Mikel. Simply because, he was the second best to Messi at the U21 world cup then. Nice one for being your brother's keeper Mikel.
Ruwcilpsty
1
may Allah help Nigeria
Ruwcilpsty
0
may help Nigeria