View Full Version : Chelsea pay £16m for Mikel - £12m to Man U
bloody hell he must be good.....
BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/5043096.stm)
A ridiculous fee to pay for a 19 year old, infact a ridiculous fee full stop.
Very strange transcript here:
Transcript of interview on Newsnight, BBC2, 19 May.
Michel Crick (MC): Do you want to play for Man Utd?
John Mikel Obi (JMO): No.
MC: You don't?
JMO: No.
MC: Why not?
JMO: (laughs) because I don't want to.
MC: But you signed for them?
JMO: Yeah.
MC: Why did you sign for them?
JMO: I don't know, something happened, you know.
MC: What was the something?
JMO: No, no, no. I don't want to play for them.
MC: Do you want to play for Chelsea?
JMO: Yeah.
MC: You do?
JMO: Yeah.
MC: And why do you want to play for Chelsea?
JMO: Because I love Chelsea.
MC: You love Chelsea?
JMO: Yeah. And I'm going to be happy when I'm there.
MC: Right. And have you spoken to Chelsea about this?
JMO: Yeah, they know.
MC: They know that do they?
JMO: Yeah.
MC: Can you give me a clue as to why you changed your mind?
JMO: No, I never wanted to play for United.
MC: You never wanted to play for United?
JMO: Yeah.
MC: Why did you sign for them then?
JMO: I was forced to.
MC: What forced you to sign for them?
JMO: What forced me?
MC: Yes.
JMO: Some people.
MC: Some people?
JMO: Yeah.
It is a ridiculous fee for a player that's only played in the Norwegian league, and especially as they're giving such a large amount of cash to arguably their biggest rivals in the premier league.
It's also more or a less an admission of guilt that they made an illegal approach for yet another player and wanted to avoid the consequences.
Hush money for sure. Can't wait to see the reception he gets at Old Trafford, that's if he ever gets off the bench.
How the hell will he get a Work Permit? He's hasn't played regular football in the last 12 months, he's made a very small number of appearences for Nigeria and certainly doesn't seem to be a crucial member of their squad. Considering we got bounced out in our permit appeal for Mark Gonzalez, I just can't see how Mikel can be given a permit at all. But I've no doubt that Chelsea will 'push' through his application with no problems at all :oh-hum:
Art Vanderlay
02-06-2006, 23:17
Perhaps he has an EU passport from living in Norway, much like the Arsenal and Manchester United players who play in Belgium to earn a passport.
For any "wonderkid" player £16M is peanuts these days, although we're not seen much of him playing other than the video clips online ;)
Can't blame the kid anyone would have done the same under those conditions, unless of course you don't care if the people you care about lives or not :nuts:
:|
Perhaps he has an EU passport from living in Norway, much like the Arsenal and Manchester United players who play in Belgium to earn a passport.
Radio 5 quoted the statement from the Mancs website saying they will support Chelsea in their Work Permit application for him. So it seems he will have to apply for one.
andybhoy
03-06-2006, 06:48
I'm not usually bitter about these things but I hope his career falls apart and he ends up like Nii Lamptey.
the money is irrelevent, it's the principle.
a player that signed a legal contract has been bullied out of it, and effectively kidnapped by his agent.
The whole affair stinks.
the_edge30
03-06-2006, 08:08
Im most digusted with this conclusion, once again what actually happened will now be swept under the carpet and forgotten.
This stinks of Kenyon tbh, he was a scummer at Utd and hes a scummer at Chelsea...
I'm not usually bitter about these things but I hope his career falls apart and he ends up like Nii Lamptey.
Agreed.
AdamBrunt
03-06-2006, 09:26
How the hell will he get a Work Permit? He's hasn't played regular football in the last 12 months, he's made a very small number of appearences for Nigeria and certainly doesn't seem to be a crucial member of their squad. Considering we got bounced out in our permit appeal for Mark Gonzalez, I just can't see how Mikel can be given a permit at all. But I've no doubt that Chelsea will 'push' through his application with no problems at all :oh-hum:
Certainly, if Mikel does need a work permit, I hope Liverpool ask some very hard questions of the right people if their latest application on behalf of Gonzalez fails (again) and Mikel's application goes through - since Gonzalez is certainly more eligible than Mikel.
Mind you ... if it wasn't for FIFA's stupid ranking system (Nigeria - 11th best team in the world ... yeah right) then Gonzalez would have been playing at Anfield last season.
Do FIFA's rankings take "quality of opposition" into account or just result ? If they don't they flipping well should - there is no way a country which is continuously playing the likes of Brazil and Argentina is going to get a win very often compared to countries on the African continent.
Pisces Iscariot
03-06-2006, 10:07
The whole situation is farcical with United and Lyn seemingly being given hush money but they had little choice to take it when FIFA, UEFA and the FA couldn't give a ****. Strange, Sepp Blatter normally has plenty to say about everything.
How the hell will he get a Work Permit? He's hasn't played regular football in the last 12 months, he's made a very small number of appearences for Nigeria and certainly doesn't seem to be a crucial member of their squad. Considering we got bounced out in our permit appeal for Mark Gonzalez, I just can't see how Mikel can be given a permit at all. But I've no doubt that Chelsea will 'push' through his application with no problems at all :oh-hum:
Well he should get a work permit IMO based on a review as he is a very special talent. They consider whether the player is of the highest calibre and will significantly contribute to the English game and from what I've seen of them Obi Mikel definitely meets that criteria while players like Gonzales and Dong are talented but not on that level yet.
A statement from Chelsea added: "As a result of this settlement all claims in this matter, which Chelsea were never an official party to, are now withdrawn.
"The payments do not in any way imply the acceptance of any such claims and have been made solely so that Mikel can resume his career.
"United will support Chelsea in any work permit application if necessary.
"All parties have agreed that there will be no further comment on the settlement or any of the allegations or claims."
Why's that then? :|
The whole statement stinks.
AdamBrunt
03-06-2006, 10:19
Well he should get a work permit IMO based on a review as he is a very special talent. They consider whether the player is of the highest calibre and will significantly contribute to the English game and from what I've seen of them Obi Mikel definitely meets that criteria while players like Gonzales and Dong are talented but not on that level yet.
He's barely played for his country whilst Gonzalez is a regular.
As for contributiing to the English game ... how many games do you think he is going to get in Chelsea's midfield ahead of Ballack, Lampard, Makele and Essien ? Compared with Gonzalez who will probably start most games for Liverpool.
IMO, if Mikel get's a permit then Gonzalez will get one with ease.
unrealnils
03-06-2006, 10:55
12m to utd jebus thats just loony,
that said glad utd got something like that it puts of other clubs like Real.
Hands of kaka you scum !
simonmac
03-06-2006, 10:57
And people say we are dodgy :suspect:
simonmac
03-06-2006, 10:59
A ridiculous fee to pay for a 19 year old, infact a ridiculous fee full stop.
Rooney was only 18 when Man U bought him for £30m!!!
And people say we are dodgy :suspect:
you are
just less dodgy than some
;)
tone capone
03-06-2006, 11:17
maybe slightly off topic but whatever happened to that african wonderkid who went to live and play in the states?
Rooney was only 18 when Man U bought him for £30m!!!
£23m plus extras depending on appearances and club success.
Going on current form, the fee shouldn't go up by much due to club success :D
simonmac
03-06-2006, 11:17
:lol:
joconnor
03-06-2006, 11:30
maybe slightly off topic but whatever happened to that african wonderkid who went to live and play in the states?
Freddy Adu, he's average at best and if he's a day younger than 25 my name is Brephney Bumstead, which it's not.
tone capone
03-06-2006, 11:35
Freddy Adu, he's average at best and if he's a day younger than 25 my name is Brephney Bumstead, which it's not.
thank you for telling me :notworthy - his name was bugging me!
i remember watching a piece on him on transworld sport a few years back saying he would be the new pele and how nike had brought him over form africa. shame he hasnt realised his potential.
Pisces Iscariot
03-06-2006, 13:03
He's barely played for his country whilst Gonzalez is a regular.
As for contributiing to the English game ... how many games do you think he is going to get in Chelsea's midfield ahead of Ballack, Lampard, Makele and Essien ? Compared with Gonzalez who will probably start most games for Liverpool.
IMO, if Mikel get's a permit then Gonzalez will get one with ease.
Have you watched Obi Mikel? In terms of contribution, which isn't just considered for the next season, I don't think it will even be close. Gonzalez will be a very good player for you but I have no doubt that Mikel has the ability to become a world class player. I don't see any reason why he can't become a regular for Chelsea during his contract and had he moved to United not only would he have been straight into the first team but he'd also have been one of the most important players come the end of the season IMO.
As for internationals, Obi Mikel had broken into the Nigeria squad at the ANC so at 18 he took part in a major international tournament for a nation much stronger than Chile. Obvioulsy that could be looked at in two different ways.
Persoanlly I'd say it was would be wrong to deny Mikel a work permit (though it would be very amusing!) as it would be deny the English game a very special talent and there's supposed to be a certain flexibility in the rules to prevent that. I think Gonzalez is a less clear cut decision as he doesn't have the ability/potential of Mikel and he doesn't quite meet the normal requirements hence he didin't get the permit last time.
Cheers Pisces. I was already around the 9.5/10 annoyance factor over the whole thing, but now you've told me how good he is I've got to the full 10/10. Thankfully, we've still got Darren Fletcher so every cloud...
AdamBrunt
03-06-2006, 17:54
I think Gonzalez is a less clear cut decision as he doesn't have the ability/potential of Mikel and he doesn't quite meet the normal requirements hence he didin't get the permit last time.
Arguably Real Sociedad's best player last season and one of the best players in the La Liga .... doesn't have the ability :?:
He wasn't granted a work permit last summer for the simple reason that Chile were 2 places outside the Top 70. And as I said earlier that's mainly IMO a flaw with how the rankings are worked out.
slideymoo
03-06-2006, 18:17
Fifa rankings are broken, does anyone really think that mexico and the usa are the 4th and 5th best teams in the world?
AdamBrunt
03-06-2006, 18:22
Fifa rankings are broken, does anyone really think that mexico and the usa are the 4th and 5th best teams in the world?
What do you mean 'broken' ?? According to FIFA, USA and Mexico are that 'good'.
It clearly doesn't take quality of opposition into account IMO.
Pisces Iscariot
03-06-2006, 19:01
Arguably Real Sociedad's best player last season and one of the best players in the La Liga .... doesn't have the ability :?:
He wasn't granted a work permit last summer for the simple reason that Chile were 2 places outside the Top 70. And as I said earlier that's mainly IMO a flaw with how the rankings are worked out.
Now Adam, I know you can read so don't twist what I said. Nowhere did I say he didn't have ability, in fact I said he would be a very good player for you. He doesn't however have the ability/potential of Mikel IMO. He looked good when I saw him play but I honestly wouldn't call him one of the best players in La Liga especially as he missed half the season.
Just in case you don't know Gonzalez is still not certain to get a work permit as it's not based on the current FIFA rankings but the averaged rankings over the two years before the application and Chile are currently 72nd on them (a fact most media sources have overlooked.) Peronsally I think he should get one on appeal.
I also don't agree with the work permit system but it's unlikley to change.
You make me laugh you living on a different planet money bags buy yourselves a trophy money bags so and so's. I hope you win nothing. Ever. Again.
AdamBrunt
03-06-2006, 21:13
Just in case you don't know Gonzalez is still not certain to get a work permit as it's not based on the current FIFA rankings but the averaged rankings over the two years before the application and Chile are currently 72nd on them (a fact most media sources have overlooked.) Peronsally I think he should get one on appeal.
Liverpool seemed pretty confident last week that Chile now being in the Top 70 means their application will succeed. Failing that, he is probably getting a Spanish passport in the summer anyway so he won't need a Work Permit.
I saw Mikel in the African nations cup and he looked very good - could be a longer term solution for Lampard as he is very offensively minded. Good passer, very strong and quick - ideal for the Premiership if you ask me.
DudeFunkMan
04-06-2006, 02:38
I'm not usually bitter about these things but I hope his career falls apart and he ends up like Nii Lamptey.
Oh god, back when I used to really give a toss about football and I supported Coventry through my dad, i recall the blurb behind the signing...:brickwall:
andybhoy
04-06-2006, 09:21
Oh god, back when I used to really give a toss about football and I supported Coventry through my dad, i recall the blurb behind the signing...:brickwall:
I feel sorry for Nii, he had a lot of natural talent when he was young.
For some reason I don't feel soryr for that wonderkid, Sonny Pike.
For some reason I don't feel soryr for that wonderkid, Sonny Pike.
Whatever happened to him?
andybhoy
04-06-2006, 10:59
Looking at google, he plays sunday league football in Dundee. He left the game, because when he was at Ajax, he had a nervous breakdown but no one there helped him.
So, I do feel sorry for him now.
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