The Obi One Podcast

The Obi One Podcast is on the road again, this time back in Istanbul to chat to Besiktas’ cult hero Atiba Hutchinson.

The Canadian spent a decade with the club, winning three league titles and a Turkish Cup during that period to establish himself as one of the club’s greatest ever players.

Alongside a coterie of die-hard Besiktas fans, John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy quiz the Canadian on life in Turkey, the impact both José Mourinho and Victor Osimhen have had on the league and what life was like under former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Slaven Bilić.

There’s also Hutchinson’s thoughts on the current Canadian team and whether they have what it takes to shock the world next summer at the World Cup Finals.
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New Year, New Managers!

We kick things off with why Maresca’s exit felt like an “accident waiting to happen” — and John Obi Mikel asks the big question: what’s Chelsea’s objective right now?

Then it’s on to Manchester United: ownership chaos, and why the biggest names won’t walk into a job where they’re expected to be a yes-man.

And finally, Nigeria. Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel gives his take on Victor Osimhen’s passion — and how far this team can really go.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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