Mikel Obi recounts crazy training ground bust-up with ex-Chelsea star

Mikel Obi recounts crazy training ground bust-up with ex-Chelsea star
Credit: Icon Sport

John Mikel Obi has confirmed the truth of rumours of a bust-up between him and Florent Malouda while they both played in the Premier League for Chelsea.

Mikel was with the Blues for 11 years between 2006 and 2017, while Malouda spent between 2007 and 2013 at Stamford Bridge.

Both players succeeded together and are good friends in retirement, but their time spent sharing the same dressing room was reportedly far from the best.

Mikel Obi has now come out to give credence to those rumours in the latest episode of The Obi One Podcast with football journalist Chris McHardy.

The story of the epic Malouda and Mikel Obi fight at Chelsea

Mikel Obi combined with sports journalist McHardy to start sharing stories of his illustrious playing career.

They have since interviewed Mikel's former Chelsea teammates John Terry and Frank Lampard, who have shared some untold takes from their time together at Stamford Bridge.

The Obi One Podcast has also had Victor Osimhen grace their show, with Mikel seeking to use the platform to push Nigeria national football team players thanks to his legacy as ex-captain and one of the team's most accomplished players.

Their latest guest was another of Mikel Obi’s former Chelsea teammates, Malouda, who is now making inroads as a coach in France.

Alongside other interesting stories from their time at Chelsea and opinions they have on the state of the club and modern football in general, one story stood out.

Rumours of a falling out between them were pushed by the media back then, and both players confirmed the news to be true. However, their recollection of events was more light-hearted than it was made out to be.

“Me and him had a crazy one once in training,” Mikel said, with Malouda laughing in the background.

“We squared up to each other and then we had to get people to pull us away from each other. I think we were playing rondo, we were playing rondo and then it happened.

“But it was just back then obviously competition, everybody’s competing against each other. We want to be on the pitch, he wants to play, I want to play. In training, we give our all because that is where we determine who plays on the weekend.

“So Flo wants to play, I want to play, competition, and it happens, it happens. And then we squared up with each other, few blows here and there!”

Chelsea legends share humour in Mikel Obi and Malouda’s story on social media

Mikel Obi's recounting of the incident got people talking on social media and a couple of Chelsea legends chimed in.

Michael Essien and Terry replied with laughing emojis, with the Ghanaian commenting, “I still remember this story”.

The incident has now been clarified and fans can rest knowing that two of their favourite players did not have bad blood for each other.

They did have bad blood for Avram Grant, one of the managers who handled them during their time at the club, however.

“For me, he [Avram Grant] just wasn't a manager. He wasn't a manager because he [had] no clue of what he was doing. He absolutely had no clue,” Mikel said.

“He [had] someone who does the training and someone who does the training – and all he does is come in and tell us stories about Michael Jordan and a fire that is burning somewhere. But it worked for him, he got us to a Champions League final.”

Malouda chimed in, saying, “Yeah, I agree with you. I remember in training when he tried to lead the session, he realised he did not have that skill, so he had to find a guy who had that skill

“But, I would say when you look at the results, we reached the Champions League final. At the time, he knew [his limitations] and he knew what he needed to help him, because management is not easy – even if you are experienced, it is very, very hard.

“So, I think he did well, because he was not experienced but he still did the job.”

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Daniel Kolade
All-round lover of the beautiful game. Massive football fan, supported Arsenal for decades for reasons that are unexplainable. One day we will win the Champions League!
TOP STORIES