John Obi Mikel has switched Stamford Bridge for Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA and the Blues’ faithful took to twitter to pay tribute to the club icon.
There were contrasting reactions from the fans regarding the 29-year-old Nigerian, but it was largely accepted that he leaves a Chelsea legend. ‘Hero’, ‘Human Fulltime whistle’, ‘Legend’ were just some of the superlatives used to describe the Nigerian captain after he left Chelsea not having played a single Premier League minute this campaign.
Thank you, @mikel_john_obi. Wishing you all the very best for the future. pic.twitter.com/hszyrAqS64
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2017
Antonio Conte thanks Mikel for the period he worked with him. He says he showed great attitude & he wishes him and his family the best. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2017
Conte says he hopes Mikel and Oscar are the last of his players to receive offers from China. It is important to remain with this squad.#CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 6, 2017
372 – John Obi Mikel made 372 appearances for Chelsea, scoring six goals and winning 10 major trophies with the Blues. Legend.
— OptaChelsea (@OptaChels) January 6, 2017
There were more than a few reminders of his contribution to Chelsea’s greatest ever night in Munich at the Allianz Arena in 2012, where he helped them lift their first and only Champions League trophy so far.
John Obi Mikel won us the Champions League. Don’t ever forget that. pic.twitter.com/HtkQspW160
— #CarefreeDaily ? (@CarefreeDaily) January 6, 2017
Conte,the first Manager that didnt play Mikel
— IG-mc_nevis (@Mc_nevis) January 6, 2017
Mikel Obi leaves and folks say he was a Chelsea legend because of the title medals he walks away with.
Agree?
— Thierry Nyann (@nyannthierry) January 6, 2017
Thank you Jon Obi #Mikel for your incredible service to #Chelsea
— Avi Räikkönen (@avinashpattnaik) January 6, 2017
Sad to see Mikel leave the premier league, very underrated player
— Tom Owen (@52_towen_89) January 6, 2017
The Chinese are just ruining football, goodbye Mikel
— Jack Davies (@jackdaviess45) January 6, 2017
He will always have a place in our hearts. Good luck @mikel_john_obi . Our historical pride can NEVER be relayed without you. Thank you!!!
— Olu Omoyeni (@oluomoyeni) January 6, 2017
gonna miss mikel,man. when the chips were down, dude always kept it together. Chelsea fans are so racist, they couldn’t appreciate the class
— Annihilus. (@SlimSiya_) January 6, 2017
Mikel along with Ashley Cole was our best player in the Champions League final…Thank you for everything Legend… You’ll be remembered ???
— Shri (@ShriCFC) January 6, 2017
@mikel_john_obi best of luck with your new challenge, we remember our former players with affection, come back for the halftime walk ?
— P K (@Paul_CFC_) January 6, 2017
JOHN OBI MIKEL’S Chelsea exit means there are just TWO players remaining from the 2012 Champions League final matchday squad.
— SPORTS EXPRESS (@SportsExpressNG) January 6, 2017
Mikel Obi Chelsea legend?
Lmaoooo
Legend must have a new meaning tbh
— JAKE CORLEONE (@Hitee_) January 6, 2017
A ‘Human final whistle’. A stark reminder of the bit part role he played at the club for most of his 10 and a half seasons at the club.
Our official human final whistle is gone ??. Thank you for everything legend @mikel_john_obi.
— Dhruv (@KlassicKante) January 6, 2017
@lovefmph977 Mikel leaving CFC is welcome but i’m not pleased he wasn’t given d due honor he deserves as a long-term blue player.He’s Legend
— Yudy (@uddeze) January 6, 2017
Shutting down @esmuellert_ , @ToniKroos and @BSchweinsteiger is not easy at Allianz Arena, our underrated hero @mikel_john_obi did that
— Archith Alonso (@ArcosAlonso33) January 6, 2017
When Boys call Mikel a Chelsea legend pic.twitter.com/oQeNvXdkPM
— JAKE CORLEONE (@Hitee_) January 6, 2017
Who are Chelsea gonna bring on for the last 10 mins to protect a lead now. #Mikel #cfc #legend
— Joey G (@JoGilbert96) January 6, 2017
Club captain John Terry says Mikel is a #Chelsea legend, Fabregas/Hazard fanboys tell me he isn’t. I know who I’d rather listen to. ???
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) January 6, 2017
Back in August 2011, Mikel’s father Michael Obi was kidnapped in his native Nigeria. Mikel was informed of this situation just before a match against Stoke City. But instead of backing out, he chose to participate in the tie keeping his personal feelings aside. His father would later be found alive in Kano, Nigeria and the abductors taken into police custody.
Will never forget John Obi Mikel playing even when he was told his father had been kidnapped. Unsung hero of our club.
— Uber Chelsea FC (@UberCheIseaFC) January 6, 2017
185 – No outfield player for Chelsea took longer to score their first Premier League goal than John Obi Mikel (185 games). Patient. pic.twitter.com/yh8NAVYX6q
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 6, 2017
Here’s John Obi Mikel nutmegging Paul Pogba with a backheel. Cult heropic.twitter.com/mCpDg3uXF9
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) January 6, 2017
Premier League: ??
FA Cup: ????
League Cup: ??
Champions League: ?
Europa League: ?Thank you for everything @mikel_john_obi! #LEGEND
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) January 6, 2017
Obi Mikel played about 30 games a season for 10 years & is one of the best big match players we’ve had.
— J. Tweeds (@JoeTweedie) January 6, 2017
The night Chelsea won the Champions League, Mikel John Obi had Rashidi Yekini’s name on his inner shirt. Great guy.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) January 6, 2017
John Obi Mikel’s Premier League career by numbers:
249 games
2 titles
1 goalCult hero. pic.twitter.com/ekqKfygs05
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 6, 2017
ICYMI: Classic Mikel moments! #KTBFFH #CFC pic.twitter.com/dYRtlMu3OG
— Chelsea FC ⚽️ (@InsideChelsea) January 6, 2017
Jon Obi Mikel was man of the match in Munich. Enough said
— Gary (@cfcgazz) January 6, 2017
Where to begin with @mikel_john_obi? 10 amazing years.Arguably our greatest performer on our greatest night. Funny, engaging.Gonna miss him.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) January 6, 2017
Mikel at Chelsea:
10 years
10 trophies— ️ (@CescMagician) January 6, 2017
11 years later and i still havent forgiven mikel obi for this pic.twitter.com/ldD1JURNZ8
— reggiesackey (@reggiesackey) January 6, 2017
Mikel has gone to collect pension in China.
— Unstoppable ?? (@Laemzy) January 6, 2017