Former Super Eagles midfield trojan John Mikel Obi has revealed he had to sign for Chelsea in 2006 because the futures of three other players were tied to the deal.

Mikel spent 11-successful years at Stamford Bridge after signing from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in what was one of the most controversial transfers in the last two decades.

The Kuwait SC midfielder has now revealed three of his teammates at Nigeria U-20 level, Chinedu Obasi, Emmanuel Sarki, and Ezekiel Bala were also undergoing trial at Stamford Bridge and would have had their contracts had he not signed.

Despite Mikel’s best efforts, the three players would go their separate ways in subsequent months as Chelsea did not offer them a contract.