Chelsea great John Obi Mikel lifts the lid on what REALLY happened on transfer deadline day as his former club chased the signature of Victor Osimhen. Just how involved was he trying to lure his fellow Nigerian to Stamford Bridge? How close was the deal? And what now that Osimhen is off to Galatasaray? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this latest episode of the Obi One Podcast, John and Chris are in Doha to speak to BeIN Sports’ duo Richard Keys and Andy Gray. In this warts ‘n all conversation, Richard and Andy are incredibly candid about their controversial exit from Sky Sports in 2011, the mental toll it took on them and the anger they still feel over the way it was handled. The duo also give their thoughts on Manchester City’s domination, what’s really going on at Manchester United and why they hand no plans to hang up their mics just yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There really was only one place to start in this week’s Taking the Mikel episode. 👀 John Obi reponds to being told to ‘shut his mouth’ by Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. Shots well and truly fired. The Blues legend also runs the rule over Chelsea’s 6-2 demolition of Wolves, hails the impact of Noni Madueke and has his say on rumours that Jadon Sancho could be Stamford Bridge-bound. The Erling Haaland appreciation society is out in force again, plus Mikel gives his verdict on whether it’s time for Manchester United and Marcus Rashford to part ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his latest Taking the Mikel podcast, former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel weighs in on the future of Raheem Sterling after his shock omission from Chelsea’s squad for their Premier League opener. Is there more to the story? And what’s next? John also gives his verdict on the overall performance in Chelsea’s the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, and questions the decision to appoint Enzo Fernandez as captain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal and France legend Robert Pires is the latest big-name to join the Obi One Podcast as he opens up on life with the Gunners. From his relationship with Ashley Cole and Thierry Henry to the leadership of Patrick Vieira, Pires reminisces about the glory days at both Highbury and the Emirates. Arsenal’s Invincibles versus Man Utd’s Treble winners? Pires delivers his verdict on that, plus he discusses his relationship with Arsene Wenger, his admiration for Dennis Bergkamp and the penalty miss that he’ll never live down. And what of assessment of today’s Arsenal and what is missing in their quest to win a first Premier League title since 2004? He reveals all. An absolute must-watch for football fans let alone Arsenal supporters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Taking the Mikel episode, John Obi Mikel looks ahead to the brand new English Premier League season. He gives his verdict on Chelsea’s pre-season form, makes an impassioned plea to Blues target Victor Osimhen and questions the club’s desire to get rid of two players who “bleed blue”: Trevor Chalobah and Conor Gallagher. Mikel also calls on African Football Associations to up their game if players are to entice talent in the future to pledge their international allegiance to them. Hard-hitting stuff from the man who led Nigeria to African Cup of Nations glory back in 2013! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In another exclusive for the Obi One Podcast, John and Chris are in the Spanish capital to speak to none other than Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. Fresh from a record-extending fifth European Cup triumph as manager, Don Carlo was only too willing to open the doors to Real’s training ground for this wide-ranging and illuminating hour-long sit down. In it, Ancelotti lifts the lid on his approach to management, has some sage advice to young coaches setting out and discusses how he’ll fit new summer signing Kylian Mbappé into his Real line-up next season. The Italian also talks candidly about a raft of his former charges from Toni Kroos to Cristiano Ronaldo and from Eden Hazard to Gareth Bale. It’s not one you’ll want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this latest episode of Taking the Mikel, John Obi and Chris find themselves in Madrid, Spain as they sit down with a familiar face. All will be revealed! Also in this edition, John Obi gives his verdict on the controversy surrounding current Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez, makes an impassioned defence of African football AND endorses a former Blues boss as Gareth Southgate’s England successor. Any guesses? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Olympic legend Usain Bolt joins the Obi One Podcast for an exclusive, in-depth look back on his illustrious career. How did he deal with pressure, who was his greatest rival and was his showmanship merely an act? The Jamaican icon reveals all in conversation with John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy. He also discusses a human’s limitations, makes a startling admission about his run at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and delivers his verdict on his beloved Manchester United’s decision to stick with boss Erik Ten Hag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the latest Taking the Mikel episode, John and Chris discuss new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and his transfer priorities this summer. John also details the genius of Carlo Ancelotti, delivers a warning to José Mourinho and reveals why he might just be back on Sir Alex Ferguson’s Christmas card list.  Download and subscribe to the Obi One Podcast now and follow us on social media: @obionepodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chelsea’s greatest ever goalkeeper, Petr Cech, joins John and Chris on Episode 12 of the Obi One Podcast. The Czech man mountain details what made José Mourinho’s Chelsea so special, opens up on the full extent of the sickening head injury that changed his outlook on life and why Champions League glory as a boardroom executive is his favourite memory at Stamford Bridge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the aftermath of Chelsea’s extra time defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup Final, John gives his verdict. Was Gary Neville right to call the Blues bottlejobs? And what now for Mauricio Pochettino? The big man has his say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his first in-depth interview since his shock retirement last year, Eden Hazard opens up about his career like never before with John and Chris. From snubbing Sir Alex Ferguson to what life was REALLY like at Chelsea. The Belgian magician also explains why Zinedine Zidane - and not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo - is the greatest footballer of all time, why he has no regrets over his time at Real Madrid and calls out Cristiano Ronaldo on his bold Saudi Pro League claim. Oh, and then there’s his well-publicised love of rice pudding! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Taking the Mikel, John and Chris react to Nigeria’s run to the AFCON semi-finals and pick their best African XI of players who’ve plied their trade in the Premier League. John also makes a hilarious admission about ex-Chelsea star Celestine Babayaro. 👀 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a break from the norm, Episode 10 features our first non-Chelsea or Nigeria star: it’s Rio Ferdinand. Hear from the Manchester United legend as he discusses his battles with Chelsea, his run-ins with Sir Alex, the brilliance of Paul Scholes and Erik ten Hag’s immediate future. 👀 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 9 features a player former Chelsea team-mates affectionately nicknamed “Zizou”. It’s the one and only, Joe Cole. A boyhood Blues fan, Cole is in superb form in as he opens on a variety of topics in studio with John Obi Mikel. From turning down Sir Alex Ferguson to Claudio Ranieri’s hilarious sales pitch to take him to the Bridge. There’s the fall outs with Jose Mourinho (and there are many), why he’d never join Tottenham and the real reason Eden Hazard joined Chelsea. And, yes, Joe is taking some of the credit! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking the Mikel: Sunday Oliseh, look away now! - Ep.3 Ahead of the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations, John Obi Mikel reminisces about leading Nigeria to continental success back in 2013. He then takes aim at a compatriot who he labels the worst manager he’s ever come across! 👀 Hold onto your hats, folks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the Special One to a special one. Victor Boniface is one of the most exciting young strikers in world football, and he’s our special guest on Episode 8. With 10 goals and 7 assists in 16 Bundesliga games this season, the Nigerian is spearheading Bayer Leverkusen’s bid to end Bayern Munich’s dominance. Here, he talks candidly about the heartbreak that almost saw him quit the game, the genius of boss Xabi Alonso and reveal the club he’s supported since he was a boy. Oh, and would a move to the Premier League ever interest him? We put that question to him too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He is the Special One, and over the course of an hour-long chat on the Obi One Podcast, José Mourinho reminds us why. Hear from the Portuguese as he reminisces about his days at Chelsea, what ACTUALLY happened with Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah and the player that gave him more grey hairs than any other.  José also opens up on why beating Liverpool at Anfield in 2014 was so special, identifies the man he REALLY wanted to work under at Manchester United and gives his verdict on Arsenal’s title chances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Obi Mikel turns the air blue as he gives a DAMNING assessment of this current Chelsea side after their defeat at Everton. Where are the leaders and Is Mauricio Pochettino still the right man for the job? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices