{"id":118204,"date":"2023-11-09T13:56:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T13:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/11\/09\/why-i-snubbed-man-utd-to-join-chelsea\/"},"modified":"2023-11-09T13:56:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T13:56:43","slug":"why-i-snubbed-man-utd-to-join-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/11\/09\/why-i-snubbed-man-utd-to-join-chelsea\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I snubbed Man Utd to join Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"

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OSLO, NORWAY: Nigerian soccer player John Obi Mikel smiles after signing with Manchester United in Oslo, 29 April 2005. Mikel, who signed for Manchester United, has claimed he was pressurised into agreeing a deal with Manchester United and did not sign a contract of his own free will. Mikel has been rumoured to be in talks with Chelsea. NORWAY OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read \/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Former Nigeria captain, John Mikel Obi has opened up about why he chose to join Chelsea over Manchester United.<\/p>\n

The midfielder was on the verge of joining the Red Devils having signed a pre-contract in 2005\u00a0to leave Norwegian side Lyn.<\/p>\n

However, Mikel\u00a0opted to move to Roman Abramovich-owned Chelsea despite\u00a0holding\u00a0a press conference and was seen wearing Manchester United\u00a0home kit.<\/p>\n

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Mikel Obi signs for Chelsea<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But it was Chelsea who had sent him to Lyn, and when they learnt he had seemingly joined United, they stepped in to seal a deal for the former midfielder in 2006.<\/p>\n

Speaking to talkSPORT, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, explained that he wanted to join a side on the verge of making history, hence he went to the Blues.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to go somewhere where I could help create history. If I went to United, I wouldn\u2019t have been part of the team that won the Champions League first in London, we were the first team to win it in London,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, it was about creating my own history because I know obviously United were the biggest club. It was really how I felt, I looked at both clubs and, you know, United had won so much.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I needed to go somewhere where I could create history with the players. Back then as well they had the likes of Michael Essien, and Didier Drogba, African players going to Chelsea. For me, I looked at that and was like, oK, where am I going to feel more comfortable and where am I going to create my own history\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mikel made 372 appearances for the Blues across all competitions before departing in 2017.<\/p>\n

During his time at Chelsea, he won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, one FA Community Shield, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.<\/p>\n

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