Recently, former Super Eagles defender Michael Emenalo made a surprising revelation, stating that John Obi Mikel was ranked higher than Lionel Messi during the 2005 FIFA Youth Championship.
Mikel’s exceptional performance at the tournament in Holland was discussed by Emenalo, who played for Nigeria between 1985 and 1995 and was part of the 1994 World Cup squad.
"In the Under 21 tournament in Holland, I think he (Mikel Obi) was ranked higher than Messi… He is a proper No. 10"
Michael Emenalo insists Mikel Obi and Salomon Kalou were the most underrated players at Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/HutJt55xab
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‘I think Mikel was ranked higher than Messi in the Under-21 tournament in Holland.’ Emenalo added while speaking on the ObiOnePodcast, ‘He is a proper No. 10.’
Michael Emenalo’s Influence at Chelsea
Emenalo joined Chelsea in 2010 and worked his way up to Technical Director.
He led Chelsea to major silverware, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Premier League trophies. Looking back on his time at the club, Emenalo remembers Mikel Obi and Salomon Kalou as the most underrated players in Chelsea’s history.
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The Sergio Agüero Missed Signing
In a previous report with Sportsbuddy, Emenalo revealed that Chelsea came close to signing Sergio Agüero, but the deal did not go through.
“We came very, very close,” said Emenalo, who added that Agüero could have played alongside Didier Drogba at the club.
Even though Emenalo missed out on the chance, his time at Chelsea was successful, especially in terms of the club’s dominance on the European football stage.
