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Chelsea’s top six all-time best players from Africa

By Kevin Peacock

LONDON - NOVEMBER 12: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates his opening goal with Salomon Kalou of Chelsea during the Carling Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on November 12, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 12: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates his opening goal with Salomon Kalou of Chelsea during the Carling Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on November 12, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Juan Mata of Manchester United closes down John Mikel Obi of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Juan Mata of Manchester United closes down John Mikel Obi of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Mikel John Obi

Chelsea appearances (goals): 372 (6)

The Nigerian took a protracted route to Stamford Bridge, to say the least. He was playing in the Norwegian League for Lyn, when he signed a contract with Manchester United. Arguments ensued over the legality of the move, which was signed in the absence of his agents.

The following year saw claims and counterclaims for the midfielder between Chelsea, United, Lyn and the agents representing Mikel. It was a mess. Chelsea reached an agreement with all parties in June 2006. Money changed hands and the move to Stamford Bridge was finally sanctioned.

Mikel was never a player to set pulses racing, but he enabled the team around him the freedom to attack. His longevity at the club under a succession of managers, proved his immense value to the club.

Like Kalou and Drogba, Mikel is a Champions League winner. He played all 120 minutes of that famous final in Munich in a ‘backs to the wall’ performance. He renewed his contract with club in late 2012 for another 5 years

During the later stages of that contract, Mikel was very much a single-purpose substitute. You could be sure that when came onto the pitch, it was time for Chelsea to ‘park that bus’.

Next: Chelsea FC's most underrated players since 2003

In the January transfer window of 2017, Mikel left to join Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin TEDA after the club announced they would not be renewing his contract in the summer.

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