Erstwhile Nigerian midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has revealed he snubbed Manchester United to sign for Chelsea in 2006 in a bid to help three other Nigerian players.
The former Super Eagles disclosed his trio compatriots were somehow tied to the deal.
Mikel shone at the 2005 U-20 World Cup in Holland and what followed less than a year after was a transfer controversy involving the English Premier League giants and Lyn Oslo of Norway.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Mikel had claimed he was forced to initially sign for the Old Trafford outfit, leading to a legal rift that forced FIFA to intervene.
Mikel eventually signed for Chelsea after the club paid the Red Devils 12 million pounds and another 4 million to Lyn Oslo.
The player went on to spend 11 trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge, before leaving for China.
Mikel Obi has now revealed that his teammates at the U-20 World Cup; Chinedu Obasi, Emmanuel Sarki, and Ezekiel Bala, were all undergoing trials at Chelsea at the time.
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.”
Leave a comment