Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has opened up about
his relationship with his former boss at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho.
Jose Mourinho bought the midfielder from Lyn Oslo in 2006
following his sterling performance at the youth World cup in 2005, and
converted him from an attacking midfielder to a defensive midfielder.
But two red cards issued against Mikel in 2007, reduced his
game time at the club.
Mikel saw only 63 minutes of action in Chelsea's next
fifteen games in the Premier League after he was dismissed against Reading
during the 2006-2007 season.
''Jose Mourinho didn't play me for months after two red
cards I saw for the first time. Then we had a great relationship with him. He
was the one who brought me to the club,'' Mikel said in an interview with
Trabzonspor's official magazine, as quoted via 61 Saat.
Even after all that happened, the former Nigeria captain was
full of praise for Mourinho, who he described as the best coach who can control
big-name players with high ego.
''Coaching is a very difficult job because you have to deal
with a lot of high ego. You should be able to control and fight the big names
with high ego.
''Jose Mourinho is one of the best technicians who do this.
He is very successful both tactically and in terms of human relations. Even now
we have a great relationship with him. You know Jose Mourinho. He's his own
person.''
Mikel spent more than a decade at Chelsea and was part of
the squad that won a Champions League crown, the Europa League, two Premier
League titles and four FA Cups.
