John Mikel Obi, a former captain of Nigeria, says the best decision he's ever made was to join the Blues over Manchester United.
After initially signing for the Manchester side, he decided to move to London.
John Obi Mikel was one of the most decorated players in the club's history, winning the FA Cup, League Cup, and the European Championship in an 11-year spell.
"It's the best decision I've ever made in my life, because I enjoyed everything I achieved at CHELSEA," Mikel said.
I signed a pre-contract when I was 17. You will be tempted if you see Sir Alex Ferguson in front of you with his contract.
He made a lot of money before signing for his rivals. The player's agent John Shittu went to Norway to take the player to London.
There were false reports that Mikel had been kidnapped.
The winner of the Africa Cup of Nations said that he acted as a young child when he heard about the news.
People began to say that I was kidnapped. It wasn't a good time for me then. I wanted to play football because of my age.
One of the best in that role at youth level was the 35-year-old, who began his career as an attackingMidfielder.
He was a traditional number 10 behind the strikers for Nigeria's Under-20 and Under 17 teams, and helped them reach the final of the 2005 U20 World Cup.
At that tournament in the Netherlands, Mikel won the Silver Ball, which led to his switch to a new club.
The Nigerian was converted into a holding-midfielder, a role he played throughout his stay at the West London club, but which many football fans at home find offensive.
They watched Mikel thrive as an attackingMidfielder, but they didn't like his new role as a defensive player.
He wanted me to be in the defensive position. At the end of the day, he is the one who makes the decisions.
He felt that I should play the defensive role because of the large group of players he had in his squad.
Claude Makelele was nearing the end of his career when he was asked to take over from me.
Three years ago, Mikel retired from international football after playing in two World Cup and helping West Africa win the Nations Cup.
Winning the biggest trophies for club and country is something that gives him satisfaction in a career that took him to England, Turkey and Kuwait.
He said that he wanted to win the trophy because it was the best football tournament in the world.
Winning with the national team was great. I wanted to win something with the national team when I was a kid.
I'm very happy to have accomplished that. Both of them will be ranked as my most cherished trophy.
As captain of the African side that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, Mikel was one of three over-age players.
After a rewarding trip to South America, he joined Chinese side Tianjin TEDA and then had a brief stint at the English club.
He was recalled to the Nigeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third in Egypt, despite only two appearances.
Mikel wants to create a platform for other people to live their dreams as well.
He is ready to use his new project to help people in Nigeria.
He said that it is a platform where you can play on the red sand and stones.
The kids that we know can become something in life are the ones we want to get.
One of Nigeria's most decorated footballers, Mikel wants to use his contacts in Europe to give exposure to exceptional players.
He said that if any of the talents are up to the task, they will be given the chance to go abroad.
I have been out of Nigeria for a long time. The first thing we need to do is get them to establish themselves here.
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