Sports
John Obi Mikel reveals war between Chelsea and Manchester United before he signed
It was one of the most fascinating transfer sagas in modern football history, ending in a year-long court battle and with one very unhappy club.
Now, more than ten years on, John Obi Mikel finally reveals what really happened when he signed for both Manchester United and Chelsea.
After impressing for Nigeria at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Mikel earned a trial at Manchester united, as reported in The Sun.
Still in school, Mikel left his family to go oversees and train with United’s first team. So impressed by the teenager’s talent, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes told Sir Alex Ferguson that he must sign John Obi Mikel.
A month’s trial was followed by another three weeks at Carrington.
One agent even approached the Nigerian with a briefcase full of cash – £53,000 to be exact – promising that and more if he signed then and there.
Desperate to get his man, Alex Ferguson told Mikel that he could be driving plush cars like all the other Manchester United players.
After returning home, Mikel’s first call wasn’t from United as promised, but from agent John Shittu telling him Chelsea were now interested.
The midfielder trained with the Blues and subsequently signed Shittu as his agent.
Seven months passed and Mikel moved to Norway where he trained under former United man Henning Berg at Lyn Oslo.
After turning 18, Mikel signed a pro contract with the side and, following a few appearances for the club, Ferguson flew out to meet him.
The ex-United boss declared he did not want to lose Mikel again and sent a contract worth £1.5million to Lyn Oslo.
Mikel signed and was photographed in a Manchester United shirt at a press conference.
It wasn’t until Mikel had signed that he found out Chelsea had an agreement in place with Lyn Oslo to not sell him to any other club.
“We flew to London,” Mikel told The Sun . “I remember thinking: ‘I’ve signed for United but now I’m flying to Chelsea!’.”
News in Norway had reported that Mikel had been kidnapped such was the nature of his sudden disappearance.
The Nigerian stayed in a house in London while a year-long legal battle ensued, not kicking a ball for a club in that time. Mikel did however compete for Nigeria in the African Nations Cup in Egypt.
Upon returning, Mikel met with then Premier League chief Sir Dave Richards and told him that he wanted to play for Chelsea.
A secret meeting with Jose Mourinho then took place, involving six cars just to get Mikel there. The Portuguese convinced Mikel to join.
Mikel met with Fergie again seven days later when he had to tell a very angry Old Trafford legend he wouldn’t be joining the club.
“It was surreal,” Mikel told The Sun. “I was at school, but had Chelsea and Manchester United — two of the world’s biggest clubs — trying to sign me. I’ll never forget that second meeting with Sir Alex. I’d signed a deal at United but had to tell him: ‘Sorry, I want to play for Chelsea’.
“I heard nothing from United after my trials but Chelsea looked after me and my family. I had a loyalty to them.”
Barcelona were even ready to pounce should neither club settle the dispute.
But the ordeal ended with Chelsea paying £4m to Lyn Oslo and £12m to Manchester United in compensation.
Mikel went on to make 374 appearances for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, One Champions League trophy and one Europa League trophy.
Real Madrid produced a spectacular comeback against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final with Joselu striking twice late on, earning them a 2-1 win on Wednesday to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies smashed the visiting German giants ahead in the second half but record 14-time winners Madrid produced a sensational comeback with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.
Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder #19 Alphonso Davies scores his team’s first goal in spite of Real Madrid’s Ukrainian goalkeeper #13 Andriy Lunin during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)
Spanish champions Real Madrid face another German side, Borussia Dortmund, in the Wembley final on June 1, after they stunned the team they call their “black beast”.
Squad player Joselu, on as a late substitute, wrote his name in Madrid’s history books with his last-gasp brace.
Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane reacts to their defeat after the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” said Real midfielder Jude Bellingham.
“Joselu deserves it all, he has been an amazing squad member this season.”
Madrid had enjoyed the better of the match but it seemed Davies’ superb strike had set up a repeat of the 2013 all-German final in London.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, benching veteran Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka.
Dani Carvajal started for Madrid after missing the first leg suspended and was heavily involved as the hosts dominated the opening stages.
Real Madrid players celebrate their second goal scored by Real Madrid’s Spanish forward #14 Joselu during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
Rodrygo Goes was inches away from converting Carvajal’s low cross and the Spain defender then cleverly set up Vinicius Junior with a pass nutmegging a defender, and Manuel Neuer tipped the Brazilian’s shot against the post.
The rebound fell to Rodrygo but his effort was weak and with a desperate arm Neuer was able to claw it out to complete a fine double save.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry limped off injured with Davies replacing him before Harry Kane’s first flash of danger.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was alert to push the England captain’s vicious long-range volley around the post.
Neuer palmed away a Vinicius free-kick as the teams ended a high-intensity, relentlessly frantic first half level.
The second period was just as fraught, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto the roof of Lunin’s goal.
Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrygo prodded his low cross agonisingly wide of the far post.
The 38-year-old Neuer made superb saves to deny both Brazilian forwards again before the hour mark as Madrid controlled the game and ratcheted up the pressure.
However just as in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern pounced.
Kane fed Davies and the Canada international cut inside from the left and smashed a shot beyond Lunin into the far top corner after 68 minutes.
Madrid thought they had levelled moments later through Nacho but after a VAR review the strike was ruled out as the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before shooting.
Tuchel took off Kane in the final stages to try and hold on to victory but it slipped through his fingers as Madrid produced more indelible European memories.
Neuer, who had been sublime to this point, fumbled what appeared a simple Vinicius strike and Joselu gratefully bundled home from close range.
With Bayern reeling Madrid struck again, decisively. It was Joselu once more, the striker on loan from second division side Espanyol, turning home after Antonio Rudiger cut the ball back to him.
The goal was ruled offside but officials overturned the decision after review, and after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time, Madrid earned the chance to go for their 15th Champions League trophy.
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