AFCON 2025
In a recent episode of the “Obi One Podcast,” former Chelsea manager José Mourinho was asked to compare two of his notable defensive midfielders: John Obi Mikel and Claude Makelele.
Mourinho, known for his candidness, provided insightful reflections on both players. When posed with the question of who was the better player for Chelsea, Mourinho humorously remarked, “John Obi Mikel or Claude Makelele? Two [players] who were a pain in my ass for different reasons.”
He elaborated on Mikel’s youthful confidence upon joining Chelsea, stating, “One (Mikel) was a young guy who already thought he was the best in the world but he wasn’t. I had to help him become the top player that he was.”
In contrast, Makelele’s extensive experience presented its own challenges: “The old guy (Makelele) knew more about what a ‘number six’ is than me. He knew more than me. Amazing! But he was in the phase of his career where [he would say]: ‘Boss, we have Champions League on Wednesday, can you give me the weekend off?’ Both were amazing.”
This discussion offers a rare glimpse into Mourinho’s management approach with two midfield linchpins who significantly contributed to Chelsea’s success during his tenure.
