In a recent interview, former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, shed light on his decision to join Chelsea instead of Manchester United, managed by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, during a controversial transfer saga. Initially signing a pre-contract deal with United in 2005 after his stint at Lyn in Norway, Mikel found himself drawn to Chelsea after they intervened and sealed a deal for him. Mikel explained that he was looking for an opportunity to be part of a team that would make history, and Chelsea seemed to offer just that. The allure of joining a club that had already achieved so much like United was tempting, but Mikel wanted to create his own legacy.
He saw Chelsea as the place where he could feel comfortable and contribute to the club’s history alongside notable players such as Michael Essien and Didier Drogba, as well as other African talents. This decision proved fruitful, as Mikel went on to make 372 appearances for Chelsea, securing numerous victories including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, one FA Community Shield, and both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
