Interview with his brother who nis a professional player in Nigeria.
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2006/apr/09/sports-9-04-2006-001.htm
The Egypt 2006 Nations Cup star signed for Manchester United from Lyn last year, but in a sudden twist, declared that he did that under duress and instead, re-declared his preference for Chelsea.
However, speaking to Sunday Sunsport in an exclusive interview in Lagos, Mikel's elder brother, Ebere Obi, who is the goalkeeper of Premier League side, Rangers International of Enugu, revealed that the former Flying Eagle would be prevailed upon to shift ground if that would salvage his career.
"If going to Man U will stop all these mess, we would appeal to Mikel to do what would save his career from early destruction," stated Ebere, who joined Rangers last season from Mighty Jets of Jos.
"If Mikel says he wants to play for Man U today, Shittu can't stop him from doing whatever he wants."
The Rangers goalkeeper confessed that his younger brother's inactivity after doing so well at the World Youth Championship (WYC) in Holland last year and Egypt 2006 Nations Cup has been giving their family sleepless nights.
"We are very worried. I would be lying if I tell you we are not perturbed. I've been having sleepless nights over this issue.
"Mikel is too young for the kind of controversy he is facing at the moment. In fact, my parents and siblings are sad that he has remained inactive for so long," Ebere said.
Personally, which club do you want Mikel to play for, Manchester United or Chelsea?
Well, I feel my brother has his own life to live. I am Ebere, he is Mikel. He has gone on trials in those two clubs. He has trained with Manchester United at Old Trafford as well as Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He knows the club he wants, besides, he has said it a number of times that he would want to play for Chelsea. So, I think the best thing for us to do for him is to respect his wishes. And I think Chelsea are better for him. I don't think going to Manchester United would help his career.
Is your family not worried that Mikel's continued inactivity could ruin his career?
We are very worried. I would be lying if I tell you we are not perturbed about his transfer problems. I've been having sleepless nights over the issue, because Mikel is too young for the kind of controversy he is facing at the moment. In fact, my parents and siblings are not happy that he has remained clubless after doing so well at the WYC last year and the Egypt 2006 Nations Cup.
What is your family's stand on the transfer saga, are you going to appeal to John Shittu to allow him play for Man U or are you going to appeal to Mikel to rescind his decision?
We are not going to appeal to Shittu. If Mikel says he wants to play for Man U today, so be it. He knows what is good for him and his career, if he decides that he wants to play for Man U, Shittu can't stop him from doing whatever he wants. We don't have any plans to appeal to Shittu, we can only appeal to Mikel to allow superior reasoning to prevail. If going to Man U will stop all these mess, we can only appeal to Mikel to save his career from early destruction.
Are you insinuating that Shittu is not forcing Mikel to play for Chelsea?
I don't think Shittu is imposing Chelsea on Mikel because what most people don't know is that Mikel has been a staunch fan of Chelsea right from the outset. In our family, while I am a Man U fan, Mikel supports Chelsea to a fault.