Obi Mikel names the player who often arrived late to training during early Chelsea days

Former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has revealed that Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku was the player who often arrived late to training and matches during his early days at the club.

Mikel, who spent 11 successful years with Chelsea, shared this insight during his recent visit to Cobham Arena, the Blues’ training ground, as part of The Obi One Podcast.

Reflecting on his time at Chelsea, the 37-year-old Nigerian midfielder opened up about various experiences in the dressing room. Mikel specifically mentioned Lukaku, who joined Chelsea as a young striker in 2011, as someone who struggled with punctuality initially.

"Someone who is always late. It was Romelu Lukaku when he came," Mikel recalled on The Obi One Podcast.

"Lovely guy, we had a chat and he realized that he needs to get better with time. And then he sorted it out, and he was fine."

Mikel also shared a personal anecdote about arriving late for a crucial Champions League match against Barcelona early in his Chelsea career.

He described the severe punishment he faced and how it served as a turning point in his approach to professionalism.

"I was also late when I first joined the club. I think it was a game against Barcelona in the Champions League," Mikel recounted.

"The night before the game, we were training at Stamford Bridge. So I was at home chilling. It wasn't like I was sleeping; I just didn't get the timing right."

The consequences were swift and harsh. "Guess what happened when I arrived? The players didn't say a word to me. For two to three months, I was out of the team.

"For about two months, I didn't play a single game. The punishment then was severe. I was never late again," Mikel said.

Mikel, who featured in 372 games for Chelsea across all competitions and scored six goals, was often lauded for his defensive ability, calmness, and composure during his playing days.

Adeyemi Adewale

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