Jose Mourinho has lifted the lid on one of the most controversial transfers in Premier League history, revealing how he convinced John Obi Mikel to choose Chelsea over Manchester United.
The legendary Portuguese manager, speaking on the Obi One Podcast, recounted the extraordinary lengths he went to secure the Nigerian midfielder's signature in 2006.
The Transfer That Shook English Football
"It was a fight," Mourinho admitted. "A proper fight between two of England's biggest clubs." The then-Chelsea boss described how he personally intervened to persuade Mikel to join the Blues, despite the player having already been photographed in a Manchester United shirt.
Mourinho's Secret Weapon
The Special One revealed his masterstroke: "I told him, 'If you come to Chelsea, you'll play every game. At United, you'll be just another player.'" This promise of regular first-team football proved decisive in swaying the young midfielder.
Mikel would go on to become a Chelsea legend, making 372 appearances over 11 seasons and winning numerous trophies including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
The Dramatic Aftermath
The transfer saga became one of the most contentious in football history, eventually requiring intervention from FIFA. United had claimed they'd signed Mikel from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo, but Chelsea insisted they had an agreement with the player's representatives.
Mourinho's revelation sheds new light on one of English football's most fascinating transfer battles, showing how the charismatic manager's powers of persuasion helped shape Chelsea's golden era.
