Former Nigeria star John Obi Mikel has expressed his desire to see Victor Osimhen play for Chelsea and has revealed that he is actively pushing for the striker to join the Premier League club.
Obi Mikel, who spent 11 successful seasons at Chelsea, believes that Osimhen would bring a much-needed goal threat to the team, citing the club’s recent struggles with goalscoring.
Osimhen, who currently plays for Napoli, has been in impressive form, scoring 26 goals last season and continuing his form this season with 11 goals in 15 league games and two in the Champions League.
Obi Mikel joked that he is acting as an agent for Osimhen, hoping to convince him to follow in his footsteps and join Chelsea.
I think Victor Osimhen loves Chelsea and wants to come to the club. I am sending him messages. I am pushing Victor Osimhen, I hope he comes to Chelsea and becomes a legend — Mikel Obi pic.twitter.com/WJQ1TY1ii4
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) March 1, 2024
“I think there is genuine interest between both,” Mikel said at the Web Summit Qatar. “I think he loves the club, he wants to come to the club.
“Obviously, he wants to follow my footsteps as a Nigerian player who has played for Chelsea – Victor Moses, Celestine Babayaro, not a lot of us,” Obi Mikel said.
“I’m still Osimhen’s agent, trying to get him to Chelsea! I’ve got 20 per cent of that deal, so I hope it works out!”
“But he also has a lot of interest. Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United. I’m still pushing, sending him messages, trying to make sure he doesn’t expect to much, narrow you’re mind on one club – the Blues. I am pushing him, I hope he comes to the club.”
Obi Mikel believes that Osimhen would thrive at Chelsea, citing the club’s history of success and the appeal of living in London. He also believes that Osimhen would provide a much-needed goal threat for the club, comparing him to Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
Mikel added: “I think one thing we lack, I think everyone who watched the [Carabao Cup] final on Sunday will see that one thing we are lacking is scoring goals. We need that striker who will score goals.
“That’s what Victor will give you. He’s not the most skillful guy, but goals are definitely guaranteed.
“If he could get us 20-plus a season, or 25, who knows, that’s what Erling Haaland does, that’s why he’s one of the best. He’s not really there for link-ups and all that, get the ball in the box and he will finish. That’s something Victor will definitely give us.”
Victor Osimhen’s contract with Napoli runs until the summer of 2026. He has a £113million release clause in his contract.
By Prosper Kuzo | 3Sports | Ghana