"I'm not scared of Man Utd stars"- Mikel

Mikel Joh Obi is the newest Nigerian sensation with his ten million pounds four year deal with Manchester United. in this first of it's kind interview he granted Ralph Chidozie George on 105.5 COSMO FM since signing for the biggest team in the world he talked about his career at club level, Flying Eagles and the world youth championships.

Nigeriasports.com -Could you give us a brief history of your career?
MJO- i started playing from the u-13 in Jos and went to play U-17 for three years and moved to the U-19 for one year and then moved to Plateau united where I stayed for 3 seasons before I traveled.

Nigeriasports-interesting build up to a big transfer to one of the biggest clubs in the world, I recall you first went for a youth trial at Man U, tell us about it.
MJO-it was nice when I went there, everybody welcomed me and I stayed there for over 2 months, the manager was very nice to me. After that I went back to Nigeria and then I went to Chelsea stayed there for almost a year and things did not work out and I had to go to Man U again.

Nigeriasports.com-so how did they contact you and the sealing of the deal.
MJO- well Man U officials have been visiting me secretly in Oslo and nobody new about it, it was nice and they kept asking me if I’m still interested in Chelsea and they kept pressing me and won my heart over Chelsea and then every thing happened so fast after that.

Nigeriasports.com-how did your teammates in Oslo take the deal?
MJO-they took it in good faith, it could happen to any player at any time, football is time and it could happen to any player at any time, they celebrated with me and they also advised me, they were happy because we’ve been together for long. There is no problem, they are all happy with me.

Nigeriasports.com-no agent negotiated on your behalf and this rare in such a big deal to a big club.
MJO-yeah, that’s they way it went, many agents are in touch with me and there is no one that has a complete hold of me that’s why I happened that way. But I am happy the way the transfer was handled despite the fact that Chelsea will be hurt.

Nigeriasports.com-if Chelsea had come earlier instead of waiting till the summer, would have gone to Stanford Bridge?
MJO-ahhhhm, well may be, just may be. Chelsea is also a big club with big money and any player would love to play for them and they just won the premiership which is any players dream but all the same I am happy with my deal with Manchester united.

Nigeriasports.com-as it were you will be in Lyn Oslo till the end of the season, would have preferred to move to Manchester immediately?
MJO-I have to wait and play with Lyn instead of moving immediately and training without a game, the rest of the season in Norway will help me get more experience and maturity while watching Manchester united games that’s why Man U officials told me to remain at Lyn Oslo, that is no problem, I am happy that I have to be here for this season and may be by December I will move and start playing for Manchester in January.

nigeriasports-Manchester has an array of super Stars like Roy Keane, Ruud Van Nistelroy, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and others, are you in any way scared to play with them?
MJO-it’s a very nice thing and that’s what every football player wants, to play with such world stars like that, I am very happy to be going to play with them and it’s going to be fine. I hope to learn from them.

Nigeriasports.com-You were given jersey number 21, is there anything about the number for you?
MJO-no, no, no there is nothing special about it but my manager at Lyn Oslo wore that number when he played at Old Trafford for Manchester United, may be he told them to give it to me and I am very happy to have it.

Nigeriasports.com-Isaac Promise, will he be joining you at Manchester United having gone for the youth trial with you previously?
MJO-(hesitates) I do not know anything about that, I have not seen him for about 2-3 weeks now and I don’t know whether they have contacted him.
Nigeriasports.com-ok, lets take you away from the Manchester United deal, are you happy with the Flying eagles are preparing for the World youth championships?
MJO-yeah, I’m quite happy with trip to Germany and it gladdens my heart, this will be about the first time that will be happening for the Flying eagles and it is really nice for the home based players to go out there and garner enough experience and confidence ahead of the championships. It is good for the team and the coach too but they have to get to Germany on time to practice.

Nigeriasports.com-So when are you joining the team in Germany?
MJO- The moment they get to Germany because we have been waiting for them but I can’t go without an invitation, my club got to get invitation from NFA before they could release me. Right now I have not gotten an invitation and I can not just leave my club like that.

Nigeriasports.com-what do you think about playing Brazil at the World youth Championships?
MJO-I think we would do well playing Brazil, it’s no big deal playing them as long as we prepare well and the players know each other well enough since we are coming from different teams. That is why this Germany trip is good for the team and we have to practice real well. I am not scared about Brazil being in our group. We have to also play some friendly games. With that I think we are going to do well not just against Brazil but in the championship.

Nigeriasports.com-i understand there are about four Nigerians at Lyn Oslo including yourself, could you tell us about the others?
MJO-they are all fine and we are all doing well and the club is happy with us.

Nigeriasports.com- You want to give us their names?
MJO-ok, they are Chinedu Ogbuke, Bala Ezekiel and Emmanuel Seriki.

Nigeriasports.com-Yes, Emmanuel Seriki, we understand Chelsea is also interested in him you want to confirm this?
MJO-yeah, he has been there and tried out with them before he was injured; he is still there receiving treatment. He has not been playing but he will be back soon and hopefully Chelsea will take him, he is a very good player.

Nigeriasports.com-ok Mikl John Obi, sensational Mikel John Obi I want to call you any message to your fans?
MJO-yeah, ahhhhh I don’t know but help me to tell them that I appreciate them and I thanks them very much for being there for me and I wish them well just like they wish me, God bless them all.

Nigeriasports.com-Thank you very much Mikel, we hope to talk to you again in the nearest future.
MJO-No problem Ralph, thanks a lot anytime,bye.