The former Nigerian and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel has introduced a talent hunt series. It has been dubbed as Africa’s Next Football Superstar and seeks on discovering young talents so that it can be nurtured in a proper manner. The series is going to take place in 3 African nations, Alegria, Nigeria, and South Africa. It is pretty interesting to see that such initiatives are being taken this African footballer. Some of the youth of the country will get an opportunity of a lifetime.

John Obi Mikel is known to be a decorated footballer who played on the greatest soccer platform in the world. Presently, he is playing for Tianjin Teda at China as his successful career comes to an end. No doubt, he is the most decorated footballer who played in Africa. Some of his biggest achievements are winning UEFA Champion’s League against Chelsea in the year 2012 and also winning the African Cup against Nigeria in the year 2013. His initiative to bring some young talent to Africa will surely yield amazing results.

Newcastle United legend-turned-pundit Alan Shearer believes Ruben Loftus-Cheek may have to consider his future with Chelsea next summer, should his gametime not improve under the guidance of manager Maurizio Sarri. Loftus-Cheek has impressed for the Blues this term with five goals from nine appearances but he is still awaiting for his maiden Premier League start of the season.

Writing in his column for The Sun, Shearer said that Loftus-Cheek may have to make a key decision on his future at the end of the campaign, if he cannot convince the manager into offering him a regular starting role, he said:“Ruben Loftus-Cheek will have a big decision to make at the end of the season. He scored against Fulham yesterday – just like he did the last time he played in the Premier League against Burnley back in October.

Former Chelsea star has revealed that his father wanted him to join Manchester United when he got the chance to make the move to the Premier League. The Nigeria international was at the centre of the fiercest transfer battles in the league’s history but ultimately, he made the switch to Stamford Bridge after a compensation package was settled with both United and Norwegian side Lyn.

Speaking to reporters, Mikel revealed that he had been urged to make the move to Old Trafford by his father, who has been a lifelong United fan. However, he decided to join the Blues instead as they agreed to pursue three other compatriots alongside him, he said: “My dad was a Manchester United supporter. He wanted me to join Sir Alex Ferguson. But Chelsea offered to sign me and three other friends who might not have gotten a club otherwise. For that reason, I decided to join Chelsea.”

Nigeria international Victor Moses has said that he is looking forward to the new Premier League season with Chelsea. The 27-year-old has been a key performer for the Blues at right wing-back over the past two campaigns but his role is expected to change under new Maurizio Sarri after having featured as a right-winger during pre-season.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Moses said: “We’re looking forward to it. Obviously, we have a new manager now, he’s got a new philosophy, and we’re looking good in training. We just want to work hard together as a team and make sure we understand what he wants from us and do the best we can this season. Chelsea is a big club. It’s a club with a great history, we’ve won loads of big trophies, and we always want to do that.”

John Obi Mikel of Nigeria had a tumultuous time when his team lost to Argentina at the same time when he also faced a personal tragedy in his home. His father was being held by kidnappers and for ransom money, which Obi revealed to the media.

Being the captain of the team, John Obi Mikel had to lead his team against Argentina on June 26th; this was the day when he already knew that his father had been kidnapped, but could not tell anyone since the kidnappers had threatened serious consequences of the authorities had been contacted.

Torino midfielder Joel Obi is aiming to represent Nigeria at this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia. The 26-year-old, who was omitted by the Super Eagles during the previous edition of the global tournament, took a step closer to realising his ambition last month after featuring in the country’s friendlies against Poland and Serbia.

John Obi Mikel is looking forward to captaining the Nigeria national side at this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia. The Super Eagles were the first country from the African qualification phase to reach the global tournament, and there is seemingly pressure on them to progress beyond the round of 16, which they have achieved on three occasions.

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has revealed that a private phone conversation with France coach Didier Deschamps convinced Olivier Giroud to leave the Gunners during the winter transfer window. The 31-year-old made the switch to London rivals Chelsea in an £18m deal prior to the transfer deadline.

In a report covered by Metro, Petit disclosed that his compatriot had made contact with Deschamps, who urged him to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere in order to better his chances of making the France squad, he said: "As for Olivier Giroud, who departed as a direct result of Auba signing, I think he made the decision to leave himself. He knows that if he wants to go to the World Cup, he needs to play regularly.

John Obi Mikel is a Nigerian international with one of the most distinguished careers in modern times but he will probably be best remembered as the teenager at the centre of the most bizarre transfer stories ever.

As a teenager with a huge reputation he was touted as the next big thing and it seemed he was odds-on to be playing for Manchester United. A deal had been struck in April 2005.

Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi has vowed that his side are capable of beating any African team on their day after they brushed side Cameroon by a 4-0 scoreline.

Mikel returned to the national side after a long injury layoff, and he managed to mastermind the thrashing of their cross-border rivals. Speaking in his post-match press conference, the former Chelsea man believes that there is more to come from Gernot Rohr's side, who look on course to qualify for another World Cup.