Posted: May 14, 2012
Super Eagles Midfielder Speaks On Chelsea Turnaround
Mikel Obi has said his form at Chelsea has put to shame critics who have been quick to show him the exit door at the top London club.
He specially told MTNFotball.com he was never troubled by news of his impending sack by Chelsea as such a thing does not exist.
He also said in this exclusive interview with MTNFootball.com his team are poised to win the UEFA Champions League after beating Liverpool to win the FA Cup.
MTNFootball.com: Congratulations on winning your fourth FA Cup winners’ medal with Chelsea. How did it feel to win again?
Mikel: Thanks. It was a great feeling. We were happy to have won as it will prepare the ground for us to win the big one, the Champions League.
Talking of Champions League, what was the feeling like to reach the final for the second time in four years?
I felt great. We believed in ourselves that we can do it right there at the Camp Nou, so we went for it and achieved our aim.
We know it won’t be easy so we prepared for the war on the pitch, when they scored the second goal, I knew it would be tougher but we kept up the pace because something told me we will score and go through to the final.
What was the key to your success at Barcelona?
We showed character and determination. We gave all within us for the game.
You face Bayern Munich in front of their fans in the final. What are your thoughts leading to this epic final?
They are a good side no doubt, our target is to win the trophy and that is what we will be playing for in Munich.
The final will be played at Bayern Munich home ground, don’t you feel that will affect Chelsea?
It is an advantage for them but that notwithstanding we can beat them. We did it at Camp Nou in front of all the Barcelona fans and now I see nothing stopping us in Munich. All we need do is to concentrate and remain focused.
You were an unused substitute in the final of 2008 Champions League, how did you feel watching Chelsea lose from the bench?
I felt bad because I wanted to be part of the action at very top level, but that is gone now.
How are you looking forward to this year’s final?
I can’t wait to be on the pitch on May 19th for the first time in Champions League final. I am looking forward to a good outing in the final as a player and for the team to lift the trophy.
Many times during the season, you have been rumoured to be on the list of players to be fired at Chelsea?
(He cuts in) I have never allowed that to bother me because I do well whenever I am on the field and nobody has ever told me that at Chelsea, but whoever was responsible for spreading such news has now been put to shame. I am here to stay, make a name and rewrite history with Chelsea.
Your team will miss the services of four players including John Terry, Ramires and Ivanovic, how will you cope without them?
It is unfortunate they will miss the final after working hard for us to get there. They will be missed no doubt but we will go all out to do our best to win for them to make the entire team happy. Those who will step in for them will do well too.
You have been a regular player under interim coach Roberto di Matteo, do you want him to stay?
Yes. He has really done well since he took over. He has turned the team around, we do everything in unity and we all want him stay, but we don’t have final say on that.
Mikel Obi has said his form at Chelsea has put to shame critics who have been quick to show him the exit door at the top London club.
He specially told MTNFotball.com he was never troubled by news of his impending sack by Chelsea as such a thing does not exist.
He also said in this exclusive interview with MTNFootball.com his team are poised to win the UEFA Champions League after beating Liverpool to win the FA Cup.
MTNFootball.com: Congratulations on winning your fourth FA Cup winners’ medal with Chelsea. How did it feel to win again?
Mikel: Thanks. It was a great feeling. We were happy to have won as it will prepare the ground for us to win the big one, the Champions League.
Talking of Champions League, what was the feeling like to reach the final for the second time in four years?
I felt great. We believed in ourselves that we can do it right there at the Camp Nou, so we went for it and achieved our aim.
We know it won’t be easy so we prepared for the war on the pitch, when they scored the second goal, I knew it would be tougher but we kept up the pace because something told me we will score and go through to the final.
What was the key to your success at Barcelona?
We showed character and determination. We gave all within us for the game.
You face Bayern Munich in front of their fans in the final. What are your thoughts leading to this epic final?
They are a good side no doubt, our target is to win the trophy and that is what we will be playing for in Munich.
The final will be played at Bayern Munich home ground, don’t you feel that will affect Chelsea?
It is an advantage for them but that notwithstanding we can beat them. We did it at Camp Nou in front of all the Barcelona fans and now I see nothing stopping us in Munich. All we need do is to concentrate and remain focused.
You were an unused substitute in the final of 2008 Champions League, how did you feel watching Chelsea lose from the bench?
I felt bad because I wanted to be part of the action at very top level, but that is gone now.
How are you looking forward to this year’s final?
I can’t wait to be on the pitch on May 19th for the first time in Champions League final. I am looking forward to a good outing in the final as a player and for the team to lift the trophy.
Many times during the season, you have been rumoured to be on the list of players to be fired at Chelsea?
(He cuts in) I have never allowed that to bother me because I do well whenever I am on the field and nobody has ever told me that at Chelsea, but whoever was responsible for spreading such news has now been put to shame. I am here to stay, make a name and rewrite history with Chelsea.
Your team will miss the services of four players including John Terry, Ramires and Ivanovic, how will you cope without them?
It is unfortunate they will miss the final after working hard for us to get there. They will be missed no doubt but we will go all out to do our best to win for them to make the entire team happy. Those who will step in for them will do well too.
You have been a regular player under interim coach Roberto di Matteo, do you want him to stay?
Yes. He has really done well since he took over. He has turned the team around, we do everything in unity and we all want him stay, but we don’t have final say on that.
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