The Obi One Podcast

Quiet man Ricardo Carvalho did much of his talking on the pitch during a glittering career that included successful spells with Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Here, ‘Riccy’ sets the record straight as he sits down with John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy for a rare interview. And he doesn’t disappoint.

Carvalho opens up on his unique relationship with José Mourinho - manager he’s played under at three different clubs and who signed him twice. He also reveals what made his partnership with John Terry so special, and no it wasn’t down to communication!

Carvalho also discusses life at Real Madrid and going head-to-head with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. As for the genius of Lionel Messi?! How do you set about trying to stop him?

And Carvalho also doesn’t shy away from Portugal’s disappointing 2026 World Cup. Part of Roberto Martinez’s backroom staff, he’s in a position to pass judgement on their campaign, with talking inevitably turning to Cristiano Ronaldo.

So the big question: should he have been dropped?

And if all of that wasn’t enough, Carvalho gives his views on modern-day defending, picks a shock name for the player he likes the most and also puts the Premier League’s greatest defensive partnerships under the microscope.

There’s an awful lot to unpack on this episode of Taking the Mikel as John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy dissect only Tottenham’s second league win at Chelsea in 36 years and the chaos that has engulfed Manchester United after yet another defeat.

Mikel explains why he’s not hitting the panic button after a chastening night at Stamford Bridge and why Bruno Fernandes should hang his head in shame.

The guys discuss Man Utd’s troubles at length, ponder whether Antonio Conte is the man for a ‘cultural reset’ and pay tribute to a new-look José Mourinho after an El Clásico success.

Nicolas Jackson also gets his flowers after making it seven goals in as many games for a rejuvenated Aston Villa which leads to the question: is Unai Emery the man for the biggest job in football right now?

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The Obi One Podcast is in Accra, Ghana for an exclusive sit-down with André Ayew.

Filmed in front of a live audience, Ayew talks candidly about making his own name and stepping out of the shadow of his father, Abedi Pele. He also outlines the ills currently blighting Ghanian football, and hints at a future run for President!

The former Marseille and Swansea man reminisces about winning a historic FIFA Under-20 World Cup, the regrets he has with the Black Stars, and why Luis Suaréz’s infamous handball at the 2010 World Cup hurt African football.

Ayew also talks about his club career and why moves to Liverpool and Inter Milan never materialised, and why Chelsea were lucky to see the best of a certain Michael Essien.

The Obi One Podcast in conversation with André Ayew.

John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy review a weekend that saw a Cole Palmer-inspired Chelsea hit Bournemouth for five and Manchester City put their legal woes behind them to thrash Liverpool at Anfield.

Just how good is Chelsea’s front three? Mikel has special praise for one of the triumvirate in particular while the guys explain why a ruling in City’s appeal against the Premier League is a must before the end of the season.

Michael Carrick’s troubles at Manchester United also come under the microscope as the guys name their number one choice to replace him in the Old Trafford dugout should the axe fall in the coming weeks.

Mikel also weighs in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s predicament with the Portuguese national team, with the message: ‘must do better’.

Willian is our special guest on this episode of the Obi One Podcast as the Brazilian reflects on his glittering career.

Here, he opens on the protracted nature of his 11th hour move to Chelsea and reveals just how close he came to doing a ‘Roman Abramovich’ and opting for Tottenham.

Willian also opens up on life inside the famed Chelsea dressing room, his admiration for Eden Hazard and the dynamics of his working relationship with Frank Lampard: from team-mate to gaffer.

The Brazilian also provides fascinating insight into the early stages of Mikel Arteta’s revolution at Arsenal, painting a different picture to the one so carefully cultivated today.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, Willian also recalls the worst day of his professional career, and a result Brazilian football still hasn’t recovered from.

John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy have their say on the bombshell news that Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 charges related to breaches of Premier League regulations.

What does this mean for the club moving forward? What is a suitable punishment should the guilty verdict be upheld? And what’s the impact on Pep Guardiola’s managerial legacy? The guys discuss it all in this episode of Taking the Mikel.

Obi also takes aim at the contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or and reveals who’d get his vote, while Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of Cole Palmer is also a bone of contention.

André Villas-Boas joins the Obi One Podcast to set the record straight once and for all on his time at both Chelsea and Tottenham. And trust us, he doesn’t hold back!

Welcoming John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy to FC Porto where he now serves as President, AVB outlines his vision for the club and the challenges faced by the cash-rich Premier League.

AVB then lifts the lid on what REALLY happened during his ill-fated eight months in charge at Chelsea. From Roman Abramovich’s exodus plea and fall-outs with key players to feeling betrayed by Roberto Di Matteo and a Champions League Final revelation.

Villas-Boas also details his time at Tottenham, reveals the catalyst for Gareth Bale’s metamorphosis into one of the world’s best players and an extraordinary phone call that saw him spurn the advances of PSG… much to the annoyance of Daniel Levy.

André Villas-Boas, as you’ve never seen or heard him before, on the Obi One Podcast.

It’s the day after the night before and the VAR farce that has the whole footballing world talking. John Obi Mikel believes the ‘game is gone’, and he might not be wrong. From clueless refereeing officials to Michael Oliver’s arrogance to throw-in rules that make no sense, the guys cover it all.

Mikel also believes Chelsea are on the right track despite shipping another two goals in their draw with Hull City, and explains why he’d rather be in Xabi Alonso’s shoes right now than Roberto De Zerbi’s.

Martin Odegaard gets his flowers while Mikel also calls on a couple of Nigerian legends to step up. Enough with words, it’s time for action as the crisis engulfing Nigerian football gets worse.

Obafemi Martins joins the Obi One Podcast to reflect on a career that burned bright for both club and country.

In this episode, ‘ObaGoal’ reminisces about his big breakthrough at Inter Milan in 2002 and playing alongside a certain Brazilian, the machinations of his move to Newcastle and why his League Cup Final winner against Arsenal almost didn’t happen.

Martins also discusses his time with the Super Eagles, analyses Victor Osimhen’s game and tells us why there was no-one quicker than him. NO-ONE.

A winning start to life as Chelsea manager for Xabi Alonso has got John Obi Mikel excited. Here, him and Chris McHardy assess their 3-2 win at Fulham on the opening week, and explain why, in Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro, they might just have the league’s most devastating forward line.

It’s not all good news though as Mikel says ‘enough is enough’ with Robert Sanchez. Is Emi Martinez the answer, what of young Nigerian-Italian Honest Anahor and is Alex Scott the right man to replace wantaway Enzo Fernandez.

Mikel also can’t resist a pop at Manchester United (look away now, Harry Maguire), has a warning for Ayyoub Bouaddi and explains why he DOESN’T have a problem with Ollie Watkins’ antics at Aston Villa.

Oh, is Cole Palmer the player to watch in the Premier League this season…

John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy are back for Season 5, and they’re kicking it off with a player so good they named him twice: Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha.

In this candid, in-depth interview, Okocha sets the record straight on a number of subjects.

From announcing himself to the footballing world at Frankfurt, changing his name in Turkey, mentoring a future Ballon d’Or winner in Paris and dealing with the unique managerial skills of Sam Allardyce at Bolton, Okocha has seen - and achieved - an awful lot in his career.

Who does he regard as Africa’s greatest ever footballer? Which Premier League top six club did he turn down? Was a move to Real Madrid ever in the offing? And would he be interested in a role with the Nigerian FA?

Okocha answers them all in this illuminating, and at times hilarious, conversation with his fellow Super Eagles great Obi Mikel.

News broke this week that Sir Alex Ferguson had a verbal agreement for José Mourinho to succeed him at Manchester United back in 2013 — before Mourinho did a U-turn back to his beloved Chelsea. Mikel gives his honest verdict on what might have been, and explains why the Roman Abramovich pull was too strong to resist.

Elsewhere, Vinicius Jr has ended Arsenal's transfer dream by signing a new six-year deal at Real Madrid. Mikel doesn't hold back on why the Gunners were never getting their man — and what it means for Mourinho's new-look Madrid alongside the club's stunning capture of Ivorian starlet Diomandé.

Plus, Mikel runs the rule over Chelsea's 22-day transfer scramble under Xabi Alonso, reacts to Mykhaylo Mudryk's ban being lifted, weighs in on Mohamed Salah's shock move to Trabzonspor, and explains why Manchester City simply cannot afford to lose Rodri.

New season. New studio. Same John Obi Mikel!

Mikel is back with Chris McHardy as they look ahead to the brand new domestic football season.

As Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea revolution takes shape, the guys analyse the new arrivals and hypothesise on what transfer business is still needed. Emi Martinez, anyone?

Mikel gives his verdict on Morgan Rogers and the other high-profile midfield acquisitions across the Premier Lesgue. From Elliott Anderson to Sandro Tonali to the “best signing of the lot”.

Mikel also weighs in on the ‘will he, won’t he’ transfer of Vini Jnr, gives his thoughts on Mo Salah’s link to Trabzonspor and explains why José Mourinho could be about to author one heck of a final chapter at Real Madrid.

Taking the Mikel is back!

It’s the morning after the night before and Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years. John Obi Mikel gives his verdict, and there’s begrudging respect there.

With Pep Guardiola set to depart Manchester City after a decade as manager, Mikel and Chris discuss his legacy and ask whether he really is the greatest the Premier League has ever had.

Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Chelsea boss comes under the microscope, as Mikel outlines what excites him the most about the Spaniard’s arrival.

There’s also a tense standoff between the lads over Mohamed Salah’s latest social media outburst. Was he in the right? And what does Arne Slot do now?

Chelsea is a club on its knees. Six successive league defeats, four on the bounce at Stamford Bridge and the worst run of results since 1993. Little wonder then, Blues legend John Obi Mikel is crestfallen.

Resigned to Chelsea’s fate this season, Mikel calls out the club’s ills and demands a reset this summer as he fears the club are slipping into mediocrity and a finish outside the top half.

So what is needed? Leaders? Check. A semblance of a plan? Check. Xavi Alonso…?! 👀

Watch as an impassioned Mikel breaks down what needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Mikel also gives his verdict on the Premier League title run in, begrudgingly gives Arsenal their flowers and laments the loss of Manchester City’s most important player.

Oh, and José Mourinho back to Real Madrid? Mikel gives his view.

Chelsea is a club on its knees. Six successive league defeats, four on the bounce at Stamford Bridge and the worst run of results since 1993. Little wonder then, Blues legend John Obi Mikel is crestfallen.

Resigned to Chelsea’s fate this season, Mikel calls out the club’s ills and demands a reset this summer as he fears the club are slipping into mediocrity and a finish outside the top half.

So what is needed? Leaders? Check. A semblance of a plan? Check. Xavi Alonso…?! 👀

Watch as an impassioned Mikel breaks down what needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Mikel also gives his verdict on the Premier League title run in, begrudgingly gives Arsenal their flowers and laments the loss of Manchester City’s most important player.

Oh, and José Mourinho back to Real Madrid? Mikel gives his view.

There’s no shortage of talking points for John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy to wade through after a tumultuous week that saw Chelsea sack boss Liam Rosenior AND reach the FA Cup Final.

As always, Mikel doesn’t hold back as he applauds Chelsea’s win over Leeds AND picks through the wreckage of their’s shambolic 3-0 loss at Brighton, a result that ended Rosenior’s tenure after just 106 days.

Who’s next in the Blues hot seat? Mikel and Chris discuss the leading candidates and John Terry’s latest snub by the club’s owners.

Mikel also sets the record straight on “fake news” doing the rounds on social media, and pays tribute to his fellow Nigerian Michael Eneramo who passed away over the weekend.

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John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy discuss the weekend’s top stories as Manchester City wrestle control of the title race from Arsenal. It’s now just one win in six for the Gunners as they are edged out at the Etihad Stadium, and Obi Mikel isn’t happy with Mikel Arteta.

Mikel also has his say on Gabriel’s headbutt on Erling Haaland and ponders whether Arsenal will not be more comfortable hunting rather than being hunted.

Another defeat for Chelsea means it’s four on the bounce without so much as a goal scored, and just one win in eight. Little worried Mikel is worried and left questioning where on earth the club is headed.

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John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy walk back arguably the best weekend of the Premier League season so far as Arsenal hand the title initiative to City, Chelsea draw a blank (again) and Tottenham’s relegation troubles deepen.

Mikel wants Arsenal to ditch the gimmicks and go back to basics, he identifies the REAL reason Man City are back in the title race and he sets the record straight on Liam Delap who he’s been accused of giving an easy ride this season.

The guys also pick through the bones of another defeat for Tottenham that leaves them winless in 2026 and staring down the barrel of life in the Championship next season.

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In this episode of Taking the Mikel, John Obi and Chris McHardy delve into Chelsea’s recent woes. From defeats on the pitch to key players speaking out on Enzo Maresca’s departure. What does it all mean for Liam Rosenior? Mikel doesn’t hold back on his assessment. Simply put: it’s Champions League or bust.

The guys also discuss Roberto de Zerbi’s appointment as Tottenham’s new boss and why it spells trouble for the club’s underperforming stars. Mikel also makes an admission that might not go down too well with his fellow Chelsea fans.

The guys also discuss Mohamed Salah’s next destination as he gears up to leave Liverpool, plus Mikel launches into an impassioned tirade over the “ludicrous” decision to strip Senegal of their African Cup of Nations title.

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