English Premier League
“I tell them to go away” — John Obi Mikel recalls drug-related incident at Chelsea
By Monsurah Olatunji
Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has revealed that during his time at the club, he was offered performance-enhancing drugs by friends and colleagues, but he firmly declined their offers.
This revelation comes amid the controversy surrounding Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk, who recently failed a drug test after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
While Mudryk has publicly stated his innocence, Mikel shared his own experiences with drugs during his playing days in an interview on his ObiOne Podcast.
Mikel recounted how, on multiple occasions, friends and acquaintances tried to persuade him to take substances they claimed would enhance his performance. He explained that they promised these drugs would give him an edge or improve his abilities on the pitch.
“I was offered stuff by people around me—friends, friends of friends—telling me that this would give me a little more in my performances,” Mikel said.
“I would ask them, ‘What is this? Is this legal?’ And I would tell them to go away. I don’t want to talk about it.”
The former Super Eagles captain emphasized the importance of players taking responsibility for their actions and the substances they consume.
He stressed that athletes must remain vigilant and aware of what they put into their bodies, highlighting the need for integrity both on and off the field.
Mikel’s comments serve as a reminder to current and aspiring footballers about the potential pressures they may face, and the responsibility they bear in maintaining clean and fair competition.
