Mikel om Chelsea
Någon tvekan om hans talang finns inte, men namnförvirringen är total. John Obi Mikel, John Mikel Obi eller Mikel John Obi.
Namnet förekommer i alla tre versioner i norska, nigerianska och engelska tidningar, de länder där han haft klubbadress och väckt uppmärksamhet. 19-åringen ska nu ha önskat att hans namn skrivs i den ordning som José Mourinho säger det, därför blir det framöver Mikel John Obi, men namnet på tröjan blir som väntat Mikel.
Vägen till Chelsea har varit en personlig Golgata i och med den bistra tvisten mellan Chelsea, Manchester United och Lyn. Men historien fick ett lyckligt slut. Mourinho är övertygad om att den unge talangen nu hittat hem och tror att han inom ett par år kan vara en världsstjärna. Natten till fredag svensk tid svarade Mikel själv på pressens frågor, här är några oöversatta svar:
Om Chelsea:
“I always wanted to play for Chelsea. I came for trials with the club and enjoyed it. Everybody was lovely, the players and staff, the manager. That’s why I wanted to be here. It’s where I’ve wanted to play for a long time. I’m very happy it has all ended like this so I can now play for the club of my dreams.”
Om att träna på egen hand i Nigeria:
“I had a personal trainer when I went back home and played a lot of football with my previous club. I ran every morning and played football in the evenings. It was all about keeping fit so when I got back to my club [Chelsea] it was not going to be difficult to fit in. It was very difficult and very boring, so I’m just happy everything is done and dusted. I did get depressed sometimes, but you need to move on. Mentally it made me strong and I learnt a lot of things from that. How to trust people, for instance.”
Om sina chanser i Chelsea:
“Since it’s all been sorted I can look ahead and try to make everybody happy for what they have done. Hopefully I will get a few opportunities, but that is up to the manager and all I can do is train hard and do my best for the club. It’s always been my dream to work hard and to be one of the top players in the world, and that’s what I’m trying to do - keep pushing every day, keep working hard and respecting everybody, the players, manager and staff.”
Om Mourinhos hyllning:
"I'm very happy about that. For one of the best managers in the world to make such a comment about you I'm very happy about it. I'm willing to give him everything, to work with him and to give my best and to give my best for the club."
