The Obi One Podcast

It’s the day after the night before and the VAR farce that has the whole footballing world talking. John Obi Mikel believes the ‘game is gone’, and he might not be wrong. From clueless refereeing officials to Michael Oliver’s arrogance to throw-in rules that make no sense, the guys cover it all.

Mikel also believes Chelsea are on the right track despite shipping another two goals in their draw with Hull City, and explains why he’d rather be in Xabi Alonso’s shoes right now than Roberto De Zerbi’s.

Martin Odegaard gets his flowers while Mikel also calls on a couple of Nigerian legends to step up. Enough with words, it’s time for action as the crisis engulfing Nigerian football gets worse.

Obafemi Martins joins the Obi One Podcast to reflect on a career that burned bright for both club and country.

In this episode, ‘ObaGoal’ reminisces about his big breakthrough at Inter Milan in 2002 and playing alongside a certain Brazilian, the machinations of his move to Newcastle and why his League Cup Final winner against Arsenal almost didn’t happen.

Martins also discusses his time with the Super Eagles, analyses Victor Osimhen’s game and tells us why there was no-one quicker than him. NO-ONE.

A winning start to life as Chelsea manager for Xabi Alonso has got John Obi Mikel excited. Here, him and Chris McHardy assess their 3-2 win at Fulham on the opening week, and explain why, in Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro, they might just have the league’s most devastating forward line.

It’s not all good news though as Mikel says ‘enough is enough’ with Robert Sanchez. Is Emi Martinez the answer, what of young Nigerian-Italian Honest Anahor and is Alex Scott the right man to replace wantaway Enzo Fernandez.

Mikel also can’t resist a pop at Manchester United (look away now, Harry Maguire), has a warning for Ayyoub Bouaddi and explains why he DOESN’T have a problem with Ollie Watkins’ antics at Aston Villa.

Oh, is Cole Palmer the player to watch in the Premier League this season…

John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy are back for Season 5, and they’re kicking it off with a player so good they named him twice: Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha.

In this candid, in-depth interview, Okocha sets the record straight on a number of subjects.

From announcing himself to the footballing world at Frankfurt, changing his name in Turkey, mentoring a future Ballon d’Or winner in Paris and dealing with the unique managerial skills of Sam Allardyce at Bolton, Okocha has seen - and achieved - an awful lot in his career.

Who does he regard as Africa’s greatest ever footballer? Which Premier League top six club did he turn down? Was a move to Real Madrid ever in the offing? And would he be interested in a role with the Nigerian FA?

Okocha answers them all in this illuminating, and at times hilarious, conversation with his fellow Super Eagles great Obi Mikel.

News broke this week that Sir Alex Ferguson had a verbal agreement for José Mourinho to succeed him at Manchester United back in 2013 — before Mourinho did a U-turn back to his beloved Chelsea. Mikel gives his honest verdict on what might have been, and explains why the Roman Abramovich pull was too strong to resist.

Elsewhere, Vinicius Jr has ended Arsenal's transfer dream by signing a new six-year deal at Real Madrid. Mikel doesn't hold back on why the Gunners were never getting their man — and what it means for Mourinho's new-look Madrid alongside the club's stunning capture of Ivorian starlet Diomandé.

Plus, Mikel runs the rule over Chelsea's 22-day transfer scramble under Xabi Alonso, reacts to Mykhaylo Mudryk's ban being lifted, weighs in on Mohamed Salah's shock move to Trabzonspor, and explains why Manchester City simply cannot afford to lose Rodri.