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.”
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