Brave Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel chose to play after news his father was missing
Chelsea midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Obi-Mikel-c18882 revealed he had decided to play in the opening fixture of the new Premier League season against Stoke City despite news that his father had been kidnapped. The 24-year-old Nigerian put up a terrific performance at the Britannia Stadium, putting aside the worrying news to focus on his game.
Mikel’s father, Michael Obi, did not return home after work over the weekend and has not been heard from since. He lives in Nigeria with the rest of the player’s family, who have been waiting for news on the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-c25261 Obi. The police have also been informed and are believed to be on the look-out for him, but had not had any success as yet.
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nigeria-c2970 international revealed he was told the troubling news just moments before the match by Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas. Mikel, who was having a massage, was called into the manager’s office who broke the troubling news to the Blues midfielder. The player was given the option of sitting the match out, but he decided to go ahead and play.
Mikel said in an interview:
“I didn't know about it, obviously. My family didn't want to tell me until after the game.
I was shocked, (Villas-Boas) asked me what I wanted to do, did I still want to go to the game. I told him I needed a couple of hours to speak to my family and my agent.”
While Mikel’s family did not wish to inform him right before the game, the management at the club felt the player had the right to know. After the stressful revelation, Mikel spoke to his family and agent and his conversation with his mother convinced him to go ahead with the game. He revealed how his mother told him to give his best for the team, which is exactly what he did.
Mikel continued:
“I told him I would like to play the game because I wouldn't want to let my team down, let the club down and obviously let my family down. I think if I didn't play that game; my mum would be very sad with me.
I spoke to my mum before the game and she told me to go out there and be strong.”
Mikel said he did not tell any of the other players before the match since he did not want to distract any of them. He did however admit to telling http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044 before the other team, who he said were his close friends. The 24-year-old put in a spirited performance, but despite his efforts the match ended in a goalless draw.
Chelsea will take on West Brom next weekend and so far Mikel is expected to be available for selection. He signed with the Blues in the summer of 2006 from Norwegian side Lyn and since then has gone on to make over 200 appearances for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 in all competitions and has even found the back of the net twice.
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