English Premier League
“Was he on the drug” — Chelsea legend reveals first thought on Obi Mikel’s talent
By Monsurah Olatunji
In a nostalgic moment on BeIN Sports, French football legend Marcel Desailly and Nigerian star Mikel Obi reunited to share their experiences from their time at Chelsea, where they both had significant impacts on the club’s history.
Although Desailly had already departed by the time Mikel signed as a teenager in 2006, their connection dates back to Mikel’s trial at Chelsea when he was just 16.
During a discussion about Barcelona’s promising 17-year-old sensation, Lamine Yamal, the panel turned their attention to Mikel’s early days at Chelsea.
Desailly, who captained the team during his tenure, recalled the impression Mikel made during his trial. “When he came, he was coming for some kind of trial for 2 to 3 weeks, and the first week he was magic,” Desailly said.
He went on to describe how impressed the Chelsea squad was with Mikel’s technical abilities. “We were even worried. Is he on drugs? Because it was incredible,” Desailly recalled with a chuckle.
“In the second week, he continued to excel, handling the ball in 1v1 and 2v2 situations effortlessly.”
Desailly concluded, “We said, ‘Wow, this young player is going to elevate the football level to very, very high.’ We were really impressed.”
This heartfelt reflection highlights the strong foundation Mikel built during his formative years at Chelsea, setting the stage for a successful career.
