1998 FIFA World Cup winner Marcel Desailly revealed he was left amazed after his first training session with Mikel Obi, according to Soccernet.ng. Mikel, who impressed for Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, was pursued by both Manchester United and Chelsea. During his trials, the young midfielder left Desailly, a seasoned pro, astonished by his skills.

Speaking on BeIN Sports, Desailly admitted Mikel was the only young talent in England who truly stunned him. Mikel, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to train with iconic players like Desailly and John Terry. He fondly remembered how Desailly, Chelsea’s captain at the time, helped him settle in.

Mikel eventually joined Chelsea in 2006, playing nearly 400 games, winning two Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, and four FA Cups during his successful stint at Stamford Bridge.