“When I First Came Into Chelsea Dressing Room I Was Shaking All Through” – Mikel Obi’s Touching Memories

John Mikel Obi recalls his first days in Chelsea club after midfielder Frank Lampard hails him as a world class player.

“It’s very good playing alongside Obi,” Lampard told the Chelsea official website. ”He’s a top holding midfield player, and for me personally being more attacking in my game it helps to play with someone who has discipline and moves the ball quickly, which Obi can do. He’s one of those players who will not make headlines, but he’s happy to go unrecognised in his work and he has a huge worth for the team when he plays.”

Mikel Obi, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2006 from Lyn Oslo, also praised the England international and pointed him out as one of the senior players, who helped him settle in at the club quickly.

“Coming into a big club like Chelsea, as a young 18-year-old from Africa, it was a dream come true. I remember coming into the dressing room and I was shaking all through the first week. The players in there really helped me settle in – John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and the other African players that were there at the time. I looked at these guys every day and I learned a lot from them, how they act on and off the football pitch, which helped me develop and mature as a person. It was a growing up stage which I never had with any other team. I just jumped straight into this team so I had to learn that way.”