Big European displacements are ready to go far to try to debach great world talents, even if it means fighting fiercely with interested rivals. John Obi Mikel, former Nigerian international who passed by Chelsea, made it bitter but incredible experience at 17 years old. In the Podcast The Rest is Football, hosted by Gary Lineker, the former environment returns to the astounding soap opera which opposed it to Manchester United and Chelsea in 2005.
“I was going to sign at Manchester United. Fergie added to me ”, says Obi Mikel. The young environment then shines at the Pepsi Academy, and hits the eye of the Red Devils. Invited to train with the pros, he evolves a few days alongside Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Company. “Ferguson told me that they were going to send me back to Nigeria until I was 18 to apply for a special visa since I could not sign in professional before my majority”.
Hideout, pressures, forced signatures
But the situation changes quickly. Chelsea enters the dance and does not intend to let the opportunity pass. “I was at home with my family when I received a phone call from an agent linked to Chelsea. I went to test in London. »» On site, Obi Mikel trains with Marcel Desailly, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and other Blues stars. Chelsea, faced with the same legal problem as Manchester, then decides not to repeat the MANCUNIAN error.
“They sent me to a club in South Africa, where the infrastructure was better. »» This is where a beaming hide-and-seeking game begins between two English football giants.
As the South African training tries to have it signed, Chelsea refuses, fearing future compensation. The London club then sends it … in Norway. “I didn't even have hot clothes, there was snow everywhere. »» He landed at Lyn Oslo, played a match … and Manchester United finally finds his trace.
National disappearance alerts!
“Ferguson sends someone with a contract. I am locked in an office, without a phone. The club coach had played Manchester United in the past, he had to convince me. »» The player ends up signing, at just 17 years old, a contract with a million pounds. “I thought I could get my family out of his situation. »»
By learning this news, Roman Abramovitch explodes. For blues, it is a betrayal. “They sent my agent to get me back in Norway. He hid me somewhere. There were disappearance alerts nationwide. People had to call the police if they saw me. »» His Norwegian girlfriend calls him, panicked after seeing the alerts. “I told him not to say anything, that I look at the football matces with my agent. »» Finally, the press finds him.
José Mourinho, just named, pushes to bring him.
“He wanted me to sign. Chelsea was becoming a big club. There was a story to write, while Manchester United had already won everything. »»
The story ends with an English agreement: Chelsea spends 16 million pounds to buy the contract signed with Manchester United and Lyn Oslo. Mikel finally joined the Blues, where he will remain more than a decade. The key: a Champions League, two Premier League titles and a place in the history of the London club.
An episode worthy of a film, told today with a smile … but which says a lot about the merciless behind European football.
