Many fans have disagreed with Mikel John Obi over comments of influencing Nigerians to support Chelsea.
In a recent edition of his ‘Obi One’ podcast, the Blues legend claimed Africa started supporting Chelsea because of him and Didier Drogba.
Narrowing it down further, Obi added that Chelsea became popular in Nigeria because of his impact at the club, which was later passed on to Victor Moses.
”In Africa they started to support Chelsea mostly because of me and Didier Drogba.
“In Nigeria, Chelsea became popular because of me and then later because of Victor Moses,” @JuanHeart2016 quoted him as saying.
The claims have been played down by many Chelsea supporters on X who cited the influence of popular Nigeria left-back Celestine Babayaro.
One fan posted, “As far as I know
Celestine Babayaro was the first Nigerian to play for Chelsea when he joined the London club in April 1997, aged 18, for £2.25 million, with he became a record club signing at the time.”
Another wrote, “S**t up Mikel, where were you when Celestine Babayaro was marking Figo and Rivaldo, and beating Barcelona hands down.
“I knew Chelsea because of Babayaro.”
Similarly, another fan wrote, “Mikel didnt make Chelsea popular, in school those days, hostels will shut down and boys will trek miles to viewing centre to watch Babayaros Chelsea against Barcelona.
“Chelsea was already popular in Nigeria then, with Ruud Gulit, and later Viali as coach B4 Ranieri came.”
However, a few supporters agree with Obi, one said, “Not far from the truth.
Most Chelsea fans joined during the Roman Abramovich era.
“Just about when Drogba, then Mikel joined. Stop all these Celestine Babayaro days stories. Na clips una watch.”
Obi is part of the vintage Chelsea squad that won the club’s first-ever Champions League title in 2012.
During his time in West London, the former Super Eagles’ skipper also won the Europa League, Premier League, the FA Cup, among others.
The 37-year-old retired from professional football on 27 September, 2022.
