Mikel Obi admits being an underrated player at Chelsea

Ex-Nigerian midfielder Mikel Obi

Mikel Obi admits being an underrated player at Chelsea

Stephen Oladehinde 17:53 - 07.04.2023

Former Nigerian footballer Mikel Obi discussed how, during his 11 years at the club, he felt underrated.

The 31-year-old made 372 appearances for Chelsea throughout the course of his 11-year stay. Together with the Champions League and Europa League, he also won the League Cup twice, and the FA Cup four times.

The Ex-Nigerian player also led his country to their first African Cup of Nations trophy in 2013 since they last won it in 1994 

When asked in an interview with Dubaieye radio station if he thought he was underrated, the former Chelsea midfielder replied that he was and that most Chelsea supporters agreed.

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Mikel not bordered about being underrated

The former Nigerian footballer who played for Chelsea during his years is one of the most decorated Nigerian footballers. 

Speaking in an interview, Mikel Obi was asked if he sees himself as an underrated player, he said, “ I don't know, I think mostly the Chelsea fans, I think.

“Yeah, they probably think I was, you know, I'm a bit underrated. But it's not something that really got to me.

“I mean, I was just there doing my work, you know, enjoying playing football and enjoying being at the club.

“But when it comes down to the national team, I was always someone who is more, you can look at me as someone who was underrated.

“Well, obviously at Chelsea, you know, like the big names, John Terry, the Lampard, the Drogba, all these guys, obviously they were always taking the glory every weekend, you know, so for us, some of the players, it was a bit of, we were there but, you know, doing our bit to help the club win and which is what we did.

“We worked as a team. not everybody was getting the credits that they deserve.

Understand the system and you get the plaudits

The Champions League champion wasn't getting enough praise as it should have been, and when questioned if he was Jealous of other players receiving praise, he said, “Yeah, of course. Of course I did because I want to be, you know, I want to win.

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“And I think the first time I joined the club, it was something that I had to struggle with.

“You know I had to struggle with it, I come back and I feel like I've had a great game, I've had an amazing game but then nobody writes about it, nobody talks about it and then they do one thing and then it's all over the papers. I'm like, what is this like?

“But then, you got to understand the system and then finally I understood the system, which is something I probably wouldn't talk on the, on air.

“But obviously there is a system that you have to go through to make sure every weekend, you in the front newspaper.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles legend Mikel Obi believes that Osimhen would fit perfectly at Manchester United despite the deficiency in his game

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