AFCON 2025
Ex Super Eagles international John Obi Mikel has shared fresh insights on the 2006 transfer saga between Chelsea football club and Manchester United.
The Nigerian was in the midst of a transfer war in 2006, after Chelsea hijacked the Mikel Obi transfer.
John Mikel Obi initially joined Manchester United from Lyn Oslo in April 2005 just days after he turned 18 years, however, admitted during interviews that he was influenced by the reds head manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and his preferred location was the London side Chelsea.
Chelsea began an initial pursuit for Mikel Obi paying €4m to Lyn Oslo, and €12m to Manchester United on June 2, 2006.
However, in Mikel Obi’s recent interview with Sky News, the former Nigerian Captain stated that he was “ loved by” former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Fergie loved me, I remember when I used to train with United, he used to always pair me with Roy Keane. He thought Roy will protect me from Paul Scholes” Mikel stated in an interview with Sky News.
Mikel also admitted that he was initially scheduled to join Manchester United after having a series of training with the Red Devils, until the deal was hijacked by Chelsea football club.
“I was 16, so I went to trials with United, with Fergie. I went to trials for like a month. I was 18, I was not allowed to play for the first team, I was not allowed to sign for the first team. Their strategy was to get ‘him-in’ get ‘ him-out’ Until he ( Mikel) joins the team” Mikel Obi concluded
Mikel Obi went on to play 377 games for Chelsea, scoring 6 goals and providing 12 assists between 2006 – 2017
