Lots of punishments & fines - Mikel on how Mourinho checkmated his indiscipline

Former Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has shared how manager José Mourinho enforced a harsh but formative lesson early in his career.

Mourinho, never one to coddle young talent, reportedly sent a young Mikel back to the academy as a measure of discipline, only recalling him to the first team once he proved himself fit for "the big boys’ league."

Mikel explained that the stance was immediate and clear signal of the standards he was expected to meet.

“In 2006, I made my debut for Chelsea,” Mikel recalls to FourFourTwo.

He added, “It was amazing, it was huge for me, although things didn’t pan out the way I wanted at first. On my first Premier League start at Reading, I got sent off for two stupid yellow cards. Back then, I was young and naive. I made mistakes, I’d be late for meetings. I had to learn.

“Mourinho had to put me in my place very quickly, with lots of punishments, lots of fines. He sent me to the academy for a couple of weeks or a month, then brought me back when I was ready to know I was in the big boys’ league.

“This was Chelsea Football Club, I wasn’t in Nigeria or at Lyn Oslo any more. I had to learn the culture of the football club – the likes of John Terry, Didier Drogba and Mourinho would let you know exactly where you were.

“At the end of that season, I played in the very first FA Cup final at the new Wembley. Against Manchester United.

“I had an amazing game. I went up against people like Paul Scholes and absolutely bossed the game. That day was special, because I played a part in the winning goal.

“I flicked it to Didier Drogba, he flicked it to Frank Lampard, Lamps gave it back and then Didier did what he did best, which was to score in the big games and win us trophies.

“I wouldn’t say I rubbed it in Fergie’s face that day, but it was nice to get one over him! I could see it in his face, looking at me, thinking, ‘How did I let him go?’”

Mikel scored a total of six goals for Chelsea. He scored these goals across various competitions, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, during his 11 years at the club.