The Obi One Podcast

Advice for Maresca, Salah backing & Nigeria home truths

Settle in, folks as John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy bring you this extended version of Taking the Mikel, and for good reason, as there’s no shortage of talking points. In this episode, the guys try to decipher Enzo Maresca’s cryptic post-match comments as Chelsea return to winning ways, while Mikel has some friendly advice for the Blues boss. Mikel also weighs into the spat between Mohamed Salah, Liverpool and Jamie Carragher, and he doesn’t hold back either assessing Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations chances. The guys clash as they discuss the biggest headache facing England boss Thomas Tuchel: who gets the nod in that No10 position? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Gary Lineker Unfiltered: BBC Row, Sh*tting Himself & Why Ronaldo Isn’t On Messi’s ‘Level’

He’s one of the most recognisable faces in the UK for his work on - and off - the pitch. A prolific goalscorer for England turned host of the BBC’s iconic Match of the Day TV programme. Now embarking on a new chapter with his hugely-popular The Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker sits down with John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy to reminisce. And there’s plenty on the agenda. From his fallout with Johan Cruyff to his close bond with Terry Venables, and from the embarrassment of shitting himself at Italia ‘90 to the heartbreak of losing a World Cup semi-final. And there’s questions. What hurt more? Defeat to Diego Maradona’s Argentina in ‘86 or that loss to Germany in ‘90? Who is better - Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard? And why is Cristiano Ronaldo not on Lionel Messi or Maradona’s level. He also speaks powerfully about his son’s childhood leukaemia battle, how it changed his outlook on life, and why being able to look himself in the mirror matters more than any headline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Chelsea ‘better than’ Arsenal, finally the ‘real’ Reece James & unsung hero Pedro Neto

John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy are back in the hotseats as they pour over Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with league leaders Arsenal. Did Moises Caicedo deserve his red card? And what did we learn about Chelsea as again, in the big games, they come to the fore. Obi has words of praise for an embattled star AND one of Enzo Maresca’s trusted lieutenants, while he again questions whether Arsenal have what it takes to finally rid themselves of the “bottlers” tag. There’s also war stories from Obi’s career during UK winters, with the snood - a favourite among many footballers - coming under attack. Plus a former Blues defender is hailed after guiding Flamengo to Copa Libertadores success in South America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Obi Mikel meets Roberto Carlos: Inside story of Real Madrid’s Galacticos, Beckham’s brilliance & Ronaldo’s ‘98 woes

John Obi Mikel is in Madrid to catch up with arguably the greatest left-back in the history of the game: Roberto Carlos. In this wide-ranging interview, the Brazilian legend opens up on what life was like as a Real Madrid ‘Galactico’. The highs, the lows, and the stories from inside one of the most famous dressing rooms of all-time. What was it like playing with Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane? What REALLY led to the fight between Thomas Gravesen and Robinho? And who was the greatest of them all? His answer might surprise you. Roberto also takes us into the Brazilian dressing room before the 1998 World Cup Final? What is the truth behind Ronaldo’s ‘injury’? And just how good was Ronaldinho? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The death of Nigeria’s World Cup dream: ‘Voodoo’ farce, NFF cull & a future Obi Mikel role?

There’s only one thing on John Obi Mikel’s mind in this episode of Taking the Mikel: Nigeria’s failure to reach the World Cup Finals. Again. The former Super Eagles captain calls for every member of the NFF to stand down in the wake of their defeat to DR Congo, opens the door to joining a new-look board IF certain criteria is met and asks the question: why hasn’t any African nation used ‘voodoo practices’ to actually win the World Cup? Eric Chelle’s long-term future as coach also comes under the microscope while Obi Mikel makes no secret of the fact over who he’ll be supporting next summer now. A must-listen for all Nigerian football fans struggling to come to terms with their side’s World Cup demise and eager to see a regime chance at the top of the Nigerian Football Federation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]