‘Don’t move to China, it’s not worth it’ – Mikel Obi advises Under-30 footballers

Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi has opened up on why he left the Chinese Super League (CSL), advising footballers that are still in the prime of their career to avoid moving to China.

31-year-old Mikel left English Premier League side, Chelsea in January 2017 after struggling to pin down a regular playing berth under Antonio Conte, and moved to CSL outfit Tianjin Teda.

The midfielder, won one Champions League title, two Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his 11 years at Chelsea, went on to spend two years in China, but says “It was two years of a huge culture shock.”

Speaking to UK paper, Telegraph, Mikel said: “The food was a problem, the lifestyle, the style in which everything was done.

“When you have been at a club like Chelsea in the Premier League, for 11 years, it was very hard to adapt to how things were done. It isn’t at the elite level, let’s put it that way.”

He added: “The pitches were poor, stadiums are poor, and the medical facilities were not what I was used to. I’m not saying it’s all the Chinese clubs, some of them are quite professional, but the one I was at, it wasn’t as professional as it should have been. It became tough for me almost straight away.

“I wouldn’t say I regretted it, I had a good time with my team-mates, but it was never easy. The standard of football, it’s not even Championship standard. I realised that very quickly. It’s a league that wants to grow, they are putting a lot of money in, but it is a long way behind.

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“I did wonder if I had made a big mistake,” he admits. “But looking back, I will never say I regret it. I missed my family a lot. They come over maybe twice a year and liked it when they visited, but they were the main reason I had to come back.”

Mikel returned to England in January, 2019 and signed a contract with second-tier team, Middlesbrough till the end of the season.

He has been instrumental to their recent form as they gun for a spot among the teams that will be promoted to the Premier League next season.

“Our goals are the same, we want to be in the Premier League,” Mikel stated.

As a word of advice to players who may be considering a China move, Mikel said: “My advice to anyone thinking about going, is have a long think about it.

“You have to go at the right time.

“I certainly wouldn’t say to anyone under the age of 30 to go there. They will regret it if they do.

“It’s worth doing for a couple of years, if only to learn a different culture, to give yourself an experience that takes you out of your comfort zone, but do not be tempted by the money if you are young. Do your research, check what sort of club you are going to over there.

“You should wait until you are approaching the end of your career. The money makes the move tempting, we’re only human, but do not be tempted by the size of the cheque if you are in the prime of your career. It’s not worth it.”

Meanwhile, despite Mikel’s recent form at Middlesbrough, the national team captain was missing in Gernot Rohr’s 23-man team invited to execute the AFCON 2019 qualifier against Seychelles and the friendly versus Egypt later this month.

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