Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel reflects on his initial stages at the club, stating that Jose Mourinho swiftly guided him, sending him to the academy before bringing him back when he was prepared for the premier league competition.

John Obi Mikel, a Nigerian midfielder, made his mark in English football history with an impressive performance in the 2006 FA Cup final. At just 19 years old, Mikel, who had limited senior football experience, proved his mettle against Manchester United, the opposition team in the final.

Mikel's journey to Chelsea started with a controversial twist. In April 2005, Manchester United announced a deal to sign Mikel, but Chelsea later claimed they had already agreed terms with Mikel's representatives. Despite being pictured with a Manchester United shirt, Chelsea finalized a deal to sign Mikel in June 2006 for £16million.

Mikel's debut for Chelsea came in the FA Cup final at the new Wembley. Despite his first Premier League start resulting in a red card due to two yellow cards, Mikel's contribution to the winning goal of the FA Cup final was significant. His flick pass played a crucial role in the goal, which was eventually converted by Frank Lampard.

Didier Drogba scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final, but Mikel's performance against Paul Scholes was equally noteworthy. His tenacity and skill on the pitch were evident, and he showed that he was ready to compete at the highest level.

Mourinho, Chelsea's manager, punished Mikel for his mistakes by fining him and sending him to the academy for a period of time. However, Mikel was eventually brought back when he was ready to understand that he was in the "big boys' league."

Mikel felt a sense of satisfaction as he got one over Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson in the FA Cup final. His comments about getting one over Ferguson suggest that he had initially been signed by Manchester United, making his victory against them even sweeter.

In 2021, Mikel participated in various interviews and podcasts, but the organisation with which he was interviewed was not explicitly mentioned in the available search results. However, he was featured in interviews in Nigeria around that time, reflecting on his memorable debut with Chelsea and his victory in the FA Cup final.

Mikel's performance in the FA Cup final was special and significant for him. It marked the beginning of a successful career in English football, and it will always be remembered as one of the standout moments in Chelsea's history.

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel reflects on his initial stages at the club, stating that Jose Mourinho swiftly guided him, sending him to the academy before bringing him back when he was prepared for the premier league competition.