John Obi Mikel – CaughtOffside

Former Chelsea star and Premier League winner retires from football aged 35

Darren Looney — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 16:22:48 +0000

Former Chelsea star Mikel John Obi has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

The Nigerian took to Instagram to announce the news that he is drawing a line in the sand on his 18-year senior career and has stated that he is very satisfied with what he has achieved in the game.

Mikel John Obi stated via the Independent: “I look back at the past 20 years of my career, and I must say that I am very satisfied with all that I was able to achieve and more importantly the human it has helped shape.”

The 35-year-old’s last club was Kuwait where he played just five matches but they were just one of seven clubs the midfielder played for -which includes English clubs Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Stoke City.

Former Chelsea star Mikel John Obi has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

Clattenburg reveals Jon Obi Mikel wanted to break his legs after infamous Chelsea game

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 13:57:11 +0000

Games between Chelsea and Manchester United are almost always ferocious and intense affairs, and if they’re not officiated properly, things can rapidly get out of hand.

Back in 2012, the best referee in the country at the time, Mark Clattenburg, was handed the fixture, but the aftermath of the match will live long in the memory.

It was the game where the official was apparently accused of racism by Chelsea star, Jon Obi Mikel. An incredible accusation to make of a match official, and one that Clattenburg has admitted he’s never quite got over.

MORE: Klopp’s Salah update

Not only that, but it appeared that the Chelsea star wanted to inflict actual bodily harm on the official.

Clattenburg and Mikel

“I knew to expect a tirade of abuse from Chelsea supporters, but I was not beating myself up over my performance. It was then that I heard a commotion outside the dressing-room door,” Clattenburg wrote in his new autobiography ‘Whistle Blower,’ being serialised in the Daily Mail.

“Before I get to the door it swings open, and with some force. John Obi Mikel bursts in and I can see the rage in his eyes. Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo and coach Eddie Newton are holding him back. Mikel is out of control; he’s trying to get at me. ‘I’m gonna break your legs!’ he shouts. He’s swinging for me.

“I have to be clear here – and this is extremely important – at this point there had been no mention of racism to me, either from Mikel or Di Matteo. No one had made any accusation of that nature.

“I left Stamford Bridge in the people-carrier and as we made our way out of West London towards Heathrow, there’s a social-media notification on the screen of my phone saying: ‘BREAKING NEWS: CHELSEA ACCUSE REFEREE MARK CLATTENBURG OF RACIST COMMENTS’.

“During those early hours overnight on the Sunday of the game, I realised the power of football clubs, the hold they have over the media. It was terrifying. It was the European champions against a referee – who would you believe?

“I am trapped. This could ruin my career. It could ruin my life. The fear is worse than going to prison. I am being called a racist. That is a real life-sentence, you don’t come back from that. Guilty until proven innocent, that is the English way.”

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Given that particular account, is it any wonder that English football continues to struggle with getting good quality officials to referee at all levels including the top-flight?

You’d have to question why anyone would put themselves through such stress.

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Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel quits Trabzonspor after criticism over league’s response to Coronavirus outbreak

Tom McNeil — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:51:17 +0000

There are a few incredible things to take away from this story, but firstly let’s all marvel at the fact that John Obi Mikel is only 32 years old.

He made his professional debut all the back in 2004, before making his name at Chelsea following a contract controversy where he may have signed for Manchester United as well.

Ex-Chelsea star isn’t ‘comfortable’ playing football during the Coronavirus outbreak

Gaurav Krishnan — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 16:15:27 +0000

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has spoken out following the widespread outbreak of the Coronavirus.

Obi Mikel who left Chelsea in 2017, currently plies his trade at Turkish club Trabzonspor.

Following the outbreak and widespread panic because of the Coronavirus, Europe’s top five leagues have been suspended with the hope of containing the spread of the virus.

The Turkish league, on the other hand, decided against suspending league football in the country, opting to play league matches behind closed doors instead.

However, in a recent Instagram post, ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has spoken out saying he is not ‘comfortable’ playing football in Turkey with the epidemic spreading across Europe, according to Goal.

In his Instagram post, as seen below, Obi Mikel said: “There is more to life than football,”

“I do not feel comfortable and don’t want to play football in this situation. Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. Season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times.”

Meanwhile, former Atletico Madrid, Monaco and Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao who currently plays in Turkey for Galatasaray also commented on the post saying: “you are right” and “life is more important than football.”, as seen in the tweet below.

John Obi Mikel says he doesn’t want to play football with the Coronavirus outbreak

Radamel Falcao commented that he agrees

The Super Lig will however, go on. The games will he played behind closed doors

What do you make of all this? pic.twitter.com/wvO08LU6ou

— Turkish Football (@TurkFootballTV) March 14, 2020

Despite Obi Mikel and Falcao’s comments, It remains to be seen whether the Turkish league suspends league football in the coming weeks.

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‘I could not let 180 million Nigerians down’ – Mikel John Obi played World Cup clash despite devastating news hours beforehand

Andy Morris — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 13:33:45 +0000

Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi has revealed he played in his side’s World Cup clash against Argentina last week despite being told his father had been kidnapped just beforehand.

The 31-year-old also told the Guardian he could not reveal it to anybody at the time in what must have been an experience more traumatic than many of us can imagine.

Mikel spent eleven years on the books at Chelsea and remains much loved by Blues fans for his tireless performances down the years.

MORE: Chelsea set to be big winners if swap deal transfer with Champions League giants goes through

Now in the Chinese Super League with Tianjin TEDA, Mikel was back on the big stage this summer for Nigeria as they suffered a disappointing early exit from the World Cup.

Mikel, however, has much bigger things on his mind now as he has detailed how kidnappers contacted him about his father, who is now in hospital.

The midfielder says he still felt he could not let his country down, and took to the pitch as Nigeria were ultimately beaten by Argentina to drop out of the group.

‘I played while my father was in the hands of bandits,’ Mikel told the Guardian. ‘I had to suppress the trauma. I took a call four hours before kick-off to tell me what had happened.

Mikel John Obi during his time with Chelsea

‘I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play. I was confused. I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I could not even inform the coaches or NFF staff and only a very tight circle of my friends knew.

‘I was told that they would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or told anybody. I also did not want to discuss it with the coach [Gernot Rohr] because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to him or the rest of the team on the day of such an important game. As much as I wanted to discuss it with the coach, I could not.

‘Thankfully, my father was safely released on Monday afternoon. I thank the police authorities for their rescue efforts and the support I’ve received from friends and family members. Unfortunately, my dad is now in hospital receiving emergency treatment as a result of the torture he received during his capture.’

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Former Premier League winner reveals Ferguson’s reaction when he snubbed Manchester United for Chelsea

Billy Hodder — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 20:02:58 +0000

Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson’s offer for this midfielder was unexpectedly rejected and Ferguson’s response was brutal.
John Obi Mikel snubbed Manchester United for Chelsea in 2006 after dramatic u-turn.
The former Chelsea star was told he would regret his decision by United’s boss.
READ ALSO: Manchester United’s Ashley Young breaks silence on brutal clash with England team-mate

John Obi Mikel famously snubbed Manchester United in favour of Premier League rivals Chelsea in 2006 and has finally lifted the lid on the reaction of Sir Alex Ferguson during the Nigerian’s dramatic u-turn.

In a report from the Sun, Mikel has revealed the dramatic story of the transfer battle between Man United and Chelsea which started when the midfielder was aged just 15-years-old.

Discussing the moment that the Nigerian had to tell Sir Alex Ferguson that he would be snubbing the Red Devils for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, Mikel revealed: ‘[SAF said} “Why would you turn down United? It’s the biggest club in the world – you cannot do that. You have to say “yes.”‘

The midfielder even had pictures in the red shirt of Manchester United during the ongoing transfer saga and it appeared that there was no doubt amongst the Red Devils that he would be going elsewhere.

John Obi Mikel famously snubbed Manchester United for Chelsea in dramatic U-turn in 2006

The report states that United offered the Nigerian a staggering contract worth £1.5m despite Mikel having only just left school. However, the controversial nature of the final deal ended with Chelsea having to pay Man United £15m for poaching their prized transfer target.

While Ferguson may have insinuated that Mikel would go on to regret his decision to join the Blues he didn’t do too badly during his time at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder picked up two Premier League titles and one Champions League during his eleven years at Chelsea. Not too bad?

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10-year Chelsea stalwart confirms exit as £140,000-a-week China deal awaits

Ron Carne — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 07:52:35 +0000

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has confirmed that he is set to leave the club to join Tianjin TEDA with a reported £140,000-a-week offer on the table.

The 29-year-old has been at Stamford Bridge for a decade and has made 374 appearances for the club while winning 11 major trophies during his time with the Blues.

However, as confirmed on his official Twitter account on Friday morning, he is set to leave west London and start a new challenge in China as he joins a whole host of top European players moving to the Far East on a lucrative deal.

According to the Evening Standard, the Nigeria international will pen a contract worth £140,000-a-week over three years, and will undergo a medical today before completing the switch.

It will be a significant improvement on his current wages at Chelsea of around £85,000-a-week, as he now looks forward to joining former teammates Oscar and Demba Ba in China having reportedly turned down the likes of Valencia, Marseille and Inter.

Having failed to feature under Antonio Conte so far this season, an exit was always the most likely outcome for Mikel, but there was always question marks over what he would decide to do next.

As with so many players currently plying their trade in Europe, he has decided on the Chinese Super League, which is continuing to get stronger and will be threatening to be a real force in world football before long.

Nevertheless, it will be an emotional time for Mikel given how long he has spent at Stamford Bridge, and as he reflected on his time with Chelsea in the lengthy post seen below, the time is certainly right for both parties to move in their separate directions.

A letter to my Chelsea family. ??? pic.twitter.com/FhcUyq3iaV

— Mikel John Obi (@mikel_john_obi) January 6, 2017

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Chelsea utility man courted by four Chinese teams as he packs his bags and prepares to leave after a decade of service

Jamie Wilkinson — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 15:04:23 +0000

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is attracting interest from four Chinese Super League sides this transfer window, according to the Mirror.

Mikel has been a cornerstone in the Chelsea squad since joining in the summer of 2006. The Nigerian has made 374 appearances for the Blues, winning 11 major honours. He will perhaps be most remembered at Stamford Bridge for a stellar performance in 2012’s Champions League final.

It does appear that Mikel’s Chelsea love affair is finally coming to an end. The Mirror report that Chelsea are prepared to allow Mikel, who is out of contract in the summer, depart this window.

The tabloid claim that Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, Guangzhou Evergrande, Hebei China Fortune and Beijing Guoan have all been in contact with the 29-year-old over the possibility of securing his signature; whether that be this month or in the summer.

As per the Mirror, Inter Milan and Valencia are also monitoring his situation. Mikel, however, is keeping his options open and will not rush into any decisions.

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(Image) John Obi Mikel says farewell to the China bound teammate Oscar – but could he follow in his footsteps?

Jamie Wilkinson — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 13:43:21 +0000

John Obi Mikel has taken to Twitter to wave goodbye to out-going teammate Oscar, as the Brazilian agrees to join Shanghai SIPG.

The Daily Star report that Chelsea will receive a staggering £60 million in exchange for Oscar, and he will earn an eye-watering £400,000-a-week.

Could Mikel himself be tempted by the astronomical wages that are on offer in the Chinese Super League? The Sun report that he could well be. The tabloid quote his agent revealing that Mikel has had offers from China, and that they are weighing up the best move for the Nigerian; who is also expected to leave Chelsea next month.

For now, however, this is a nice sentiment from the Chelsea veteran.

Good luck in China @oscar8 … it’s been a pleasure my friend ? ?? pic.twitter.com/Gu05dQXK9L

— Mikel John Obi (@mikel_john_obi) December 23, 2016

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Chelsea cult hero could finally be set to leave the Bridge after making 374 appearances and winning 11 major honours

Jamie Wilkinson — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 11:20:24 +0000

John Obi Mikel’s Chelsea love affair looks as though it will finally come to an end in the January transfer window.

The Nigerian has made 374 appearances for the Blues since joining in the summer of 2006. During that time, he has only ever scored six goals; a record that saw him emerge as somewhat of a cult hero at Stamford Bridge. As he found the back of the net against Fulham in 2013, his first ever Premier League goal, Stamford Bridge had scarcely celebrated more.

He has also enjoyed plenty of success during his time in West London. Mikel has lifted two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Community Shield. When he leaves Chelsea, it will be as one of the most decorated players in their history.

According to his agent John Shittu, he could be saying his farewells very soon. The Metro cite The Sun in quoting Shittu: “It is very likely that Obi Mikel will leave Chelsea in January. There are many clubs who are interested in his services.”

Mikel has fallen vastly out of favour since Antonio Conte took the helm at the Bridge. As a defensive midfielder, at 29-years-old he should be at the peak of his powers. It comes as no surprise that he would seek regular first-team football rather than wasting his prime years gathering dust on the bench.

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