Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea youth debuts: Where are they now?

(Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

John Obi Mikel

Chelsea appearances: 372 (2006-present)

Current club: Chelsea

John Obi Mikel is the only player on this list to live the dream of starting as a Chelsea youth prospect and developing into a first team regular with the Blues. The holding-midfielder has featured in all of the triumphs of Chelsea’s last decade, consistently averaging 25 appearances per season.

Mikel’s arrival at Chelsea was (stop us if you’ve heard this before) wrapped in controversy involving… Mourinho’s current club, Manchester United. Mikel went so far as posing for the obligatory signing day photo holding a United jersey, but later claimed that he was pressured into the signing by United and his then-club, Norway’s Lyn Oslo.

The scandal even involved rumors that Mikel had been kidnapped. Mikel had actually travelled to London, and shortly thereafter announced that the club is really wanted to sign with was… Chelsea. Chelsea worked out a three-way deal with Manchester United and Lyn Oslo to avoid FIFA’s involvement in dispute resolution.

All the more amazing, then, that Mikel is one of Chelsea’s longest-serving veterans.

Next: Sam Hutchinson