Chelsea trio ‘best in the world’, absurd Guardiola criticism & same old Arsenal?

24:50John Obi Mikel:Always a problem. Away, at home, whatever it is, it's always a problem for us to go and break them down. And that's what we have to find a way of doing. I've said it so many times. The big games, we saw it against Spurs. We absolutely destroyed Spurs. Absolutely destroyed. They couldn't get a kick. Absolutely destroyed Spurs. The big games, I'm not worried about. The big games, I don't have a sleepless night. I don't worry about it. It's the smaller teams that really, really gives us problems. We have to find a way of breaking those teams down as quickly as possible. In the first half, get one, and then they have to come out.

25:24John Obi Mikel:If you go in nil-nil in the first half with those smaller teams, of course the fans are going to be frustrated. Of course they're going to be frustrated. So we have to find a way, come out of the blocks, quick, firing, make sure we get a goal against those smaller teams, break them down and force them to come out, and then the game is open for us. That's what we need. That's what we have to find a way of doing. And it's good to see us do that again against Wolves at the weekend. So we have to find a way of winning those smaller games. The big teams, I'm not worried about because we always find a way of playing through those presses.

25:55John Obi Mikel:We always find a way of playing through those big teams. We are the best teams when it comes to playing out from the back. I've said it so many times. Playing against the big teams, we are the best team. in terms of the braveness, the willingness to have the ball in smaller spaces. We are the best. We are the best. You know, when you have Caicedo, Fernandes, linching up with those defenders, playing out from the back, it's absolutely brilliant. So for me, playing against the big teams, I'm not worried about. It's the smaller teams that give us the problems. I've waited to come back to this arsenal, John.

26:28We started there. We've got to circle back to it. Okay, they drew it to your piece. a last-minute equaliser. And listen, it's not terminal. There's still four points clean at the top of the table. They've still, in my opinion, been by far and away the best team this season so far. But coming back to a point that you made, Mikel Arteta's face at the end of the game, it was one of disappointment. I think he understands the magnitude of building momentum, building confidence mentally in this team that, hey, we can go to the stadium alike, not play well and win. So to concede a last-minute equaliser, I know we're only in October, sorry, November.

27:10I know it's still early on in the season, but to your point, you can see the frustration of, oh, had we won that game, it solidifies the view that we are capable of going and winning a title this season.

27:24John Obi Mikel:Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal. You're coming back to this, aren't you? But last week, you did tip them. You did skip. Listen, tipping Arsenal is a no-brainer right now this season. Because? You must be stupid to bet against Arsenal this season. You must be absolutely out of your mind to bet against Arsenal. But. There's still a but. Will they go on and win it? That is the thing. Will they go on and do what everybody expects them to do this season? That is the question, Mark. People know, right? everybody around the world in the in England in the Premier League that was Is cheap in Arsenal to go on and do it.

28:03John Obi Mikel:I think they are fucked. Will they do it? That is the question For the past three years, we've tipped them. Did they go on and do it? No They went on to do what they do really really well, which is bottle it. Yeah Which is find a way of fucking it up That's what they do and right now That's exactly what they did on the weekend. I know a lot of people look at it and say yes is just two points drop. It's not the end of the world. Well, it is the end of the world. If you want to call yourself champions, if you want to be the teams that finish runner-up in the last three seasons, this season is a season where, again, City now coming back.

28:45John Obi Mikel:We're struggling. Liverpool declining. Struggling. Chelsea, we're playing well. Consistency. Consistency, yeah. I don't think we're going to be there in terms of winning the league? Who else? Is theirs to lose? I know we said it last time, is theirs to lose? And everybody's saying, oh, Mikel, now you're tipping us. Yes, of course. We all tip you guys to win it. But there is the question mark. Are you going to win it? Are you going to go on and do it? Is the pressure going to be too much for you? Has the mentality of the players changed in terms of going on to finding that next level, which is going on to win in the league.

29:26John Obi Mikel:That is a question mark for Arsenal. That is a question mark of this side, of this Mikel Ateza side. We've said it so many times. There is no better squad in terms of depth. Yes, they do have injuries right now, but they get over it, right? Every team has that. Yeah. City have their Ballon d 'Or winner, best player out injured. You know what I mean? Chelsea, we have our best creative player out injured. And Levi Colwell. Levi Colwell also injured. Yes, a lot of teams are struggling, with injuries. Deal with it, Arsenal. Stop complaining. It's part of the job. It's part of the league. So for me, that game at the weekend just shows again what Arsenal always does.

30:09John Obi Mikel:You have your foot on a pedal right now. Press the fucking pedal. Don't take your foot off the gas. Don't take your foot off the pedal. And that's what they've done at the weekend. You have City. If they won that game going into the international break six points ahead of six seven it would have been six ahead of city ahead of city exactly now they're four right no if they wanted if they won that game they would have been six or seven right i think so it would have been six so if they won that game going into the international break two weeks of no games arsenal sitting top of the league with six or seven points.

30:53John Obi Mikel:That would have been the perfect scenario. It would have been six. But right now, what have they done, Arsenal? They have gifted Pep Guardiola a 1 ,000 game best gift. He's going to celebrate these two weeks with a glass of wine, knowing that Arsenal have done what they usually do, which is fuck it up and give him the perfect celebration of his 1 ,000 game. Now he's won the game and his four points behind Arsenal. If they won that game, Pep Guardiola, even winning that game against Liverpool, will be thinking, oh, six, seven points, that's a lot. Six points, that's a lot. But what does Arsenal do?

31:33John Obi Mikel:They do what they do best. They gifted him a 1 ,000 game gift. Here you go, Pep. We're going to do what we do best. We're going to go and bottle it at the stadium of light. We're going to draw the game against Sunderland and lose two points. If they want to be champions, Arsenal, these are the games where you go and win. When we won the Premier League, when we were at Chelsea, successful winning titles, we know the big games are going to be difficult. You're not guaranteed three points when you play against the big boys, but you're guaranteed three points against the smaller teams. You have to be at your own games.

32:15John Obi Mikel:It's the mental side of it. Go there and make sure you win and get the maximum three points. Mourinho always said that. We don't want to look back, come the end of the season and thinking, fuck, that game against Sunday, we should have won. We should have gotten the maximum three points. Those are where you lose the league. Those are the places where you win the league. Because the big boys are not going to give you gifts. The big boys are not going to give you three points. No. You might get a point or you might get three points or you might lose the game against the big boys. Three points is not guaranteed.

32:46John Obi Mikel:But when you go against against the so-called smaller teams, you have to make sure you get the maximum They wasted 45 minutes of that game. I watch the game first half. They were nowhere to be seen Second half they came out a little much better second half Sunderland was much better first half aggressive winning first every first ball tackles jumping Granny Shekhar was there aggressive winning everything in on the first half the crowd was there Ashland didn't perform well in the first half second half. Yes a lot better but they've wasted 45 minutes. Yes, they come in the second half, got the equalizer, went up to one up, and then considered in the last minute.

33:26John Obi Mikel:But again, it is a disaster. It is a disaster for this Arsenal side. They have to. Yes, people say, oh, Mikel, now you're tipping Arsenal. Of course. Everybody's tipping Arsenal right now. You must be stupid not to tip Arsenal because they have the best squad. They have the best defenders. Agreed. They have the best squad. So it's a no-brainer to bet against Arsenal. And again, they do what they do best. Find a way of fucking it up. That's what Arsenal do. But they are still the team to beat. But make no mistake about that. City are getting better. They are. City are getting better. I know Pep Guardiola is still trying to underplay.

34:14John Obi Mikel:the team performance, the way they're growing. He's a very experienced manager. Very, very experienced manager. He's sometimes playing this Alex Ferguson mind games. During the week, he's saying, oh, Arsenal are the best team right now. They don't concede. It's a miracle to score against Arsenal. And what did they do that weekend? They went on to concede too. First time this season. First time this season. Pep Guardiola is playing mind games with Arsenal. He knows exactly what he's doing. He's a very, very experienced manager. A manager who's won the Premier League six times, four in a row. He knows exactly what he's doing.

34:49John Obi Mikel:He knows how to get the best out of his players. He knows how to play the mind games. And he's doing exactly that right now with Arsenal. Come next week, in two weeks' time, after the international break, Rodri is coming back. City are getting better. Absolutely fantastic performance last night. The way they crushed Liverpool. They did. Started the game really, really well. This, for a very long time, is the best I've seen City play. I agree with you, man. The best I've seen City play. Yeah. And without their best player, mate. Without their best player in Rodri. Without their best player. Credit to Nico Gonzalez.

35:27John Obi Mikel:He's starting now to understand the position. He's starting now to get him better and understanding the team. It took him a bit of time, but right now, you can see the way he's playing. He's starting to understand what Pep Guardiola wants him to do and what the team demands of him. And to copy up, brilliant goal. I know it was a deflection, but he got his goal yesterday. City are coming. Arsenal fans, take it from me right now. City are coming. When Rodri comes back to that team, they're going to get much, much, much better. The spine. Will they be able to go on a run like they usually do? That's another question to be answered.

36:03John Obi Mikel:But I think with a fit Rodri, City are going to be there. They are going to be there to put the pressure on Arsenal. the best I've seen Doku play. Doku yesterday sometimes was unplayable. He was. Unplayable. Unplayable. Sorry, young Bradley, but he got his hand full yesterday. He did. He was brilliant midweek against Real Madrid, was Conor Bradley, but you're absolutely right. Jeremy Doku had him on toast. And it's interesting you talk on this. I've never seen a player that does what Jeremy Doku does. When the ball comes, the quick stop and go. It's not just doing that. When the ball is coming, the quick stop and goal, it's incredible.

36:46John Obi Mikel:And the way he does it, the pace in which he does it, the power in which he does it, the trickery in which he does it, everything was absolutely brilliant yesterday. Unplayable yesterday. And to cap you up with that goal, oh my God. I was sitting down watching that goal. I was like, whoa. Yeah. What a performance. What a goal. and to see him do that in such a big game was absolutely brilliant and that's what pep guardiola demands from his players consistency that's what he wants to see now from jeremy doku we don't want to see him perform like this and then he disappears for the next three weeks that's four games that's good i want to see young wingers young wing exactly performing performing week in week out add a bit of that in your game the consistency that's what you want to see i know sometimes it's very difficult for young players to find that consistency.

37:37John Obi Mikel:But put that in your game. And that's what people want to see Jeremy Doku do. But City yesterday were brilliant. And we talk about Jeremy Doku. We talk about Harlem scoring goals, being the machine that he is. Again, he got a goal yesterday. But I have to talk about Nico O 'Reilly, the left back. Thomas Tuchel, if he's watching, he's got a player. He's got a great player. He's got a player in his hands. I love to see him in the World Cup because for me, he's a brilliant player. Not just going forward, Nick O 'Reilly. What he does defensively. Yesterday, he absolutely had Mo Salah in his pocket.

38:15John Obi Mikel:Absolutely had Mo Salah in his pocket. Mo Salah was nowhere to be seen. And the way he goes forward as well, he drives forward when he has the ball. He's so good technically on the ball. Defensively, very, very, very good as well. And he's so young and he will improve. He will get better. Big boy as well. Big boy as well. He would get better. Pep absolutely love him. And you talk about young players. Yesterday, after 20, 15 minutes, he went down with a calf injury. Yeah. But this is where we talk about mentality. For some young players, they're going to look at him and think, a big game, a massive game.

38:51John Obi Mikel:I'm going to go off the pitch because I have a little bit of injury. I'm going to go off. I don't want to let my team down. What has he done? he went back on the pitch and he finished the game he said nope i'm not going out i'm gonna finish this game with a sore cough i'm gonna make sure i keep mo salah quiet and he did exactly that credit to the lad mental side of the game because he could have easily gone up that that game and say you know what let me protect myself i've got international coming up and i don't want to let the team down. I might be tired here and there. But no, Nico O 'Reilly stayed in the game and made sure he did what his team wants him to do.

39:32John Obi Mikel:He played the full game and he was absolutely brilliant. It's so good to see young players with such mentality, such strong mentality. Absolutely brilliant city yesterday. Seven defeats now in the last 10 for Liverpool, John. The champions, he's gone back he's reverted to type a little bit he's gone back with Gravenberch McAllister Sobosly Andy Robertson's come back and left back and listen hey I don't want to just judge you off the back of this they had a great win against Villa great win against Madrid but they were poor they were poor they were poor I mean when you talk about the heart of that team the soul of that Liverpool team is that midfield trio that you've just mentioned Gravenberg McAllister and Sobosly they had Absolutely a shocker yesterday.

40:20John Obi Mikel:They couldn't get a kick yesterday. City were brilliant. City were brilliant. Nico Gonzalez. This is the best I've seen also Bernardo Silva play in such a long, long time, Bernardo Silva. This is the best I've seen him play. Yesterday, he was all over the place, defensively wise, holding the ball, keeping the ball, with his experience, slowing the game down. He was absolutely brilliant yesterday, Bernardo Silva. And of course, Phil Ford coming back to his best. Yes, he didn't get an assist or a goal yesterday, but what he did for the team, and people always said it, when Phil is happy... He's a different player.

40:55John Obi Mikel:The rest is history. He's a different player. And they've managed to find him. Now he's happy. He's playing his favorite position. You can see the smile, the joy, the first touch that we know Phil has, the first touch, the turn, everything that he does right now is what we are accustomed with Phil. Yeah. That's what we know Phil is best at. And it's good to see him do that. You talk about all the creative side of the game going forward. But again, Pepper said it. What he does off the ball is absolutely brilliant. Running for the team, defending for the team, doing the dirty side of the game. Yesterday, again, he was brilliant.

41:32John Obi Mikel:Phil Ford was absolutely brilliant. This city side are getting, getting better. I think when Rodri comes back, they're going to become a much, much better side. Now, the question is, again, can they go on and run like they usually do? That's the question of mine. But right now, they're getting better. And what about Florian Verts, John? I've got a lot of sympathy for Verts. I know that he is a talented boy. He is top, but he's struggling right now. The game seemed to swallow him up a bit yesterday, if you know what I mean. I feel sorry for the lad, though. I feel sorry for the lad. Coming from Germany, coming into the Premier League, pace is much, much quicker.

42:10John Obi Mikel:physicality, everything in the Premier League is much, much difficult. And to come in again with that price tag as well it's just the games, every game he plays just looks like he's got a massive weight on his shoulder every time I see him. He looks lost. He looks like he needs help. And when he looks around him I don't see anybody in that Liverpool side that goes to him and say, you know what put his arm around him. On the pitch, maybe do it behind closed doors. But on the pitch, I don't see anybody go to him and say, listen, go on. Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right, go on, go on. You're doing well.

42:48John Obi Mikel:A bit of encouragement. I don't see that. No. I don't see that on the pitch. Every time I watch him, I look at him. I feel sorry for the lad. He looks a little bit lost. The price tag is huge. I don't think that's affecting him. I just think he needs to find the consistency, that he needs to feel a bit more at home. Because right now he doesn't feel that. He doesn't feel like he's at home. And he feels like he's still going to play for Mo Salah. He feels like he's still going to play for Isaac. Abaya Levy Kuzin, he was the main man. He was the guy. Everything went through him. But here he feels like Mo Salah is still the main man.

43:32John Obi Mikel:Isaac again is coming. and he's kind of the main guy. So he feels like he's kind of like the third main guy or the fourth main guy. So for him, he feels lost. I feel sorry for the kid. Brilliant, brilliant player. Fantastic player. I think when Liverpool get this kid, this lad to start playing well and start being the player that we know he is, they have a good player and they have a fantastic player in their hands. But Anders Slott needs to find a way as a manager to get the best out of him. Florian Red. He needs to find a way of getting the best out of that guy because he is such a talent. He is such, the potential in him is huge.

44:10John Obi Mikel:And he's so young, he can only get better. So, Anastasia has got a massive job in his hand to find a way to get him to start playing well. Because if he does that, this Liverpool side are going to become a good team. If he does that. But the question is if, can he be able to get the best out of him? I don't want to see him a flop because he's not a flop. No, he's not. He's got so much potential. He's such a fantastic player. It's the matter of, the question is how do they get the best out of him? Do you play him on the left side? Do you play him as a number 10? That is what Anastasia is trying to find out right now.

44:41John Obi Mikel:And if they can be able to do that, I think they have a good player on their hands. We talked about it before. He turned down City. Pep Guardiola had him as his number one target. He wanted him to be his new De Bruyne. He turned down City. Again, if you believe the reports, Guardiola couldn't confirm that he'd be around for the long term as City boss. he felt that Liverpool were maybe more in the ascendancy. But again, you watched the game yesterday, and I know it's only one game, and he needs time. But I'm looking at City thinking, wow, they suit his qualities and attributes far more. Far more better than Liverpool, yeah.

45:15John Obi Mikel:Fouts behind Haaland. Yeah, exactly, behind Haaland. But now you see they have... But I still think if he came to City, you're still not going to push Phil Foddy on the left. So for me, I think that's probably where City has looked at that. Was that part of the negotiation? Pep knowing that Phil is going to become his main number 10. And Florian Vier probably looked at it and thought, you know what? Maybe I don't want to play on the left. I want to play as a number 10. Or deeper. Or deeper. And maybe Pep has looked at it and thought, you know what? No, I've got Phil. Phil is going to be my number 10 in next season.

45:52John Obi Mikel:So maybe that was part of the negotiation that Vett thought, you know what? If I go to Liverpool, I'm going to be the number 10. So no, but I think a city side would have suited him much better, the way they play, because they're more efficient with the ball. They keep the ball really, really well. The way they play out from the back, I think that would have suited him really, really well. because right now, if you ask me, what is the system of this Liverpool side? What is the structure? What is the philosophy of how they play? I don't know. I have no idea. Are they a transition team or what are they?

46:32John Obi Mikel:They're just in the middle. Position team, transition. I don't know. So for me, they're still trying to find a way to play. Too many changes, yes. But Anastasia needs to find a way of getting his new side to gel. Yeah. Interesting to see that yesterday, Isak didn't come on the pitch. Is he still having a little bit of injury? Is he trying to protect him? Two weeks of no game, is he going to feel a little bit much better in terms of, you know, after the international break, he's going to come back fitter and stronger? Maybe that's why he didn't bring him into the game. And again, the game was already done and dusted with 3-0.

47:09John Obi Mikel:He don't want to bring him in because nothing is going to be, they're not going to gain anything from the game. So he thought, you know what, I don't want to risk him, leave him on the bench. But Anastor needs to find a way of getting this Liverpool side. This is his team right now. Last season, whatever he wants to say, whatever he wants to think, that was Jürgen Klopp's team. That was Jürgen Klopp's team. This team right now, this Liverpool team right now, is Anastor's team. You went out there, you brought in your players, you made the signings, you got rid of the players you didn't want, which were Jürgen Klopp's players.

47:41John Obi Mikel:You got rid of them. you wanted to defend this Premier League with your own team. Now you have to do that. Yeah. You have to do that. And so far, he hasn't got his new signings to start performing. To start performing. And that's the job of a manager. Yeah. Your players that you brought in, your signings, you have to justify to the club, to the fans, why you've gone out and spent that much money bringing your players in. And to defend the league, which we know the Premier League is the strongest, is the most difficult league to win and to defend. Yeah. So it comes down again to what Pep Guardiola has done in his turn-off as Manchester City side.

48:25John Obi Mikel:Winning the Premier League four times in a row. I don't think that's ever going to be done. I don't think that's ever going to be done. He's the only man to do it in the Premier League. I think he's the only man to do it. Fergie won three times twice. Never four. Never four. So City, a thousand games for Pep, 741 wins in his incredible games which is just he's only lost 128 is that right from his winning rate of 71.6 yeah incredible incredible and you talk about it honestly when I hear pundits go on about Pep Guardiola has spoiled football has ruined football Honestly, for me, I think it's absolutely absurd to hear people, pundits, people who know the game, don't know the game, come out with such nonsense.

49:23John Obi Mikel:Absolutely nonsense. What Pep Guardiola has done for football, not just the English Premier League, football, the guy has transformed football. He has transformed the way we see the game. He has transformed the way we get to watch and enjoy the game. A manager who's taken so many young players under his wings, the influence that he's had under so many managers, young managers coming up. Yeah. Ateta. Enrique. Enrique. Vincent Company. Maresca. Maresca. Managers that he's taken under his wings and had so much influence on those managers had taught them everything that he knows, welcoming manager, shared his ideas, and taught so many people how the game should be played right.

50:21John Obi Mikel:Growing up, you teach kids in academies how to be brave when they have the ball, how to be brave in small spaces when they have the ball, how to always run the ball even when you make a mistake. No, go again and ask for the ball. Don't be scared to make mistakes. Pep has come and showed us that in the Premier League. Pep has come to the Premier League and demonstrate for us how the game should be played. Give the players the confidence to go out there, even when they make mistake, go out there, try it again and again. Because I've given you the confidence to do that. Playing out from the back, playing the game the right way.

51:04John Obi Mikel:It's true, Joe. and not only doing that producing results winning league titles upon league titles yeah and scoring goals domestic league title domestic titles league titles european titles and he's done that in three of the biggest leagues in the world in spain in germany here in the premier league his one title playing the same way not changing sticking to his game and for people to come and say that Pep Guardiola has spoiled football is absolutely ridiculous coming from pondics people who think they know the game Pep Guardiola is a manager that we should celebrate what he's done for this Premier League, six league titles in ten years four in a row.

51:59John Obi Mikel:It's incredible. It is incredible. It's incredible. I think a lot of... We shouldn't water down his success. No. We shouldn't try to tarnish his legacy by saying he spoiled the game. It's nonsense. It's absolutely nonsense. Because the game is being played the right way. By him, yeah. By him. And he doesn't change. And he's still doing that up till today. Not just doing it. He's successful by doing that. He's transformed the game. He's helped managers, influence that he's had. Now we talk about great managers in Luis Enrique. Mikel Ateta, what he's done for Arsenal, the way Arsenal play. Vincent.

52:42John Obi Mikel:Vincent Kompany, what he's doing in Bayern Munich. Xabi as well, what he did with Xabi in Barcelona. Enzo Maresca. Xabi Alonso in Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso in Real Madrid. players who have learned from Pep Guardiola, the influence. You talk about the impact players have on the game. This is the impact that Pep Guardiola has had on the Premier League, all around the world in football. So let's not tarnish his legacy. Let's enjoy what he's given to us. Week in, week out. We've sat down and watched Man City give us what we tune in to watch, which is good football. Anasla said it when he was in PSV.

53:27When City plays, he watches. Yeah, he watches the games.

53:30John Obi Mikel:He watches the games. And I think the big thing, and I come back to Carlo Angelotti when we were in Madrid with Carlo, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? And I think when people say Pep's ruined the game, I'm totally wholeheartened. It's nonsense. It is. Because so many managers have looked to Pep and they've tried to implement a style that doesn't necessarily suit the players. Carlo said it. Carlo said, listen, guys, I couldn't go in and play the Pep way at Everton football. Exactly. Pep is not asking you to play his way. He's not forcing anybody. He doesn't have a fucking gun in his head and say, you have to play my way.

54:07John Obi Mikel:No, this is Pep Guardiola's way. And he is. Don't copy if you don't want to. You're right. Play your way. And he's perfecting it. He's perfecting it. Yeah. The crazy thing is that when you see League Two sides on a Sunday, on a Saturday, League One, League Two, Conference league side. Try to play a pep guard the other way. No. Nonsense. Don't play that way. Because number one, you don't have the players to play that way. Exactly. Don't play that way. And that's where he gets blamed. And it's like, no, no. And that's where he gets blamed. That's it. You don't play. You don't blame the guy of doing what he believes is his own way.

54:39John Obi Mikel:And he's doing it at that standard. And he's doing it at the highest level. That's it. Producing results everywhere he's gone. That's it. Winning league titles. Domestic league titles. European league titles. 1 ,000 games. We should be celebrating Pep Guardiola and what he's done to the Premier League because he has transformed, not just the Premier League, football around the world. He has transformed the game. And to be able to do that and win league titles, 40 major trophies. It's incredible. He's only 54. Four in a row. And he's only 54. Only 54 years old. He could get 2 ,000. Incredible. Incredible statistics.

55:22John Obi Mikel:So what I don't want to see, my... Family pundits you're about to see. Exactly. Do not tarnish the guy's legacy. Because when those statements keep coming up and up and up, you're trying to tarnish the man's legacy. And at some point, it's not just you being your pundit. It starts to become a fucking jealousy. Yeah. because of the success that the guy has achieved. What is achieving the game? I think some of it is pure and utter jealousy. We don't want to. I'd want to meet you. I'm telling you. I'm telling you. It's pure jealousy. Because what he has done, again, let's take the game out of it.

56:10John Obi Mikel:The influence that he's had with managers coming to him, learning the game, and then fucking off and coming and playing against him. he will turn out one day and say, you know what? I don't want to keep producing young, young managers because they all come up again, play against me. No, but it still opens his door to those guys. He loves it. He loves to share his ideas. He loves coaching. He loves to see the young managers grow and become brilliant managers. We should celebrate the guy. We should applaud him for what he's done for the game. Not trying to tarnish his legacy. Not trying to water down his success by saying he spoiled the game.

56:49John Obi Mikel:No, he's transformed the game in a good way, in a fantastic way. He's kept us on the edge of our seats, week in, week out, watching city side produce magic. That's what they've done for so many years. So good. And he's still doing it now. Now we would have all thought, oh no, you know what? He could easily pack it in and say, you know, no, but he still wants to win. He still wants to succeed. New challenges. New challenges. He keeps going. I tell you what, John, I hope Pep's watching or listening to this. We might get him on the podcast after this. John's on the payroll. No, I just hate when people, it's a success that should be celebrated.

57:27John Obi Mikel:Again. Don't tarnish it. No, I get it. I totally get it. The jealousy shouldn't be there. Pundits shouldn't try to tarnish his legacy. And he's not responsible for what he's doing. He's not. He's not responsible for the way the game is being played. That's his way. Play your way, he plays his way. So for me, I hate when I hear that from Pandit. I hate it. I hate it. Because for me, it's no longer you doing your job. It's pure and utter jealousy. Jealousy. Right. Speaking of jealousy, I am going to be jealous of the fact that you're going to be maybe celebrating your nation qualifying for the World Cup.

58:06It is the international break. You've got a number of hurdles to overcome, Jan. Gabon, get through that. it's then Cameroon or potentially the Democratic Republic of Congo you've got two massive games upcoming how confident are you? very are you?

58:25John Obi Mikel:very I mean okay good coming from the way we finished the last two games the momentum I think that we've built the players now knowing getting the feeling of what it means for us not to qualify for the World Cup now they have that feeling now they can feel that pressure And I think now they know the magnitude of not going to the World Cup. It's going to be a disaster. So the players know that. Yes, playoffs, which is where we find ourselves right now, it's going to be tough. It's going to be really, really tough. Difficult game. Games that are going to be played in Morocco. There's no home fans.

59:04John Obi Mikel:There's no home advantage. You're playing in a no-man's land. Yeah, knockout. Exactly. A knockout game. So we need to find a way of winning those games. We need to find a way of going past Gabon first. Winning that, that's what we need to do first. Don't think ahead of playing either Cameroon or whoever. No, Gabon. We need to win. And when you have the players perform the way they did, I hope we can get Victor Simé again to be on his A game the way he did in the last game by scoring a hat-trick. The whole team to perform, not just Victor. Not just the whole weight on Victor. we need also players to step up.

59:45John Obi Mikel:Alexi Wobi to step up, to create chances, score goals. He's the number 10. That's what he's there for. We need those players to step up. We need the captain to be able to marshal the defense, to tell the players what it means. Experienced players like Ndidi, we need all those players to be able to come out and say, listen, this is the time. so we know this is the time for us to make sure we qualify we find ourselves now in the playoffs and we have to deal with it not the best place to be but we are where we are right now we have to deal with it and you're still in it like i said i've seen so many pictures so many conversations about fifa giving 1.2 million to to the nff to build stadiums have you seen that and all the corruption that's gone on and not gone on whatever it is i don't want to get into that right now It's about winning football matches.

1:00:40John Obi Mikel:It's about going to the World Cup. All those conversations has to be dealt with. Has to be dealt with. The corruption has to be rooted out of the game. If we want to go forward, it has to be rooted out. But now is not the best time to discuss those. Now is the time for us to focus in the game and on the game at hand, which is playing Gabon, playoff game, to get to the next round of the playoffs. And then win that, and then we'll see you in March. Exactly. More qualifiers. So it's a difficult task for us right now. You're confident, John. Come on. Two wins needed, and we'll see you in March. Two wins needed, see you in March, still another playoffs to play, right?

1:01:26John Obi Mikel:Yeah. So it is a difficult task. It's a mountain to climb, and we have to make sure we are ready. Again, when you talk about making the players feel comfortable when they come back to play, now is the right time. Whatever the NFF have to do to make those players come back, feel comfortable to perform, give their best for the country. They have to do that right now. This is the time. This is the time. I want all the fans. Yes, we can talk about the corruptions tomorrow. But right now, it's about winning football matches. It's about beating Gabon. Do they? I think we can. I think we have the team to do it.

1:02:09John Obi Mikel:We have the players to do it. We have the best, one of the best strikers in the world right now. He's absolutely on fire. Yeah, he is. And again, I've said it, not just him. The whole team have to perform. Don't depend on Victor Osime alone. Don't depend on Victor Osime alone. The team, everybody needs to perform. Find the motivation in you, knowing that this is the biggest games of our lives. the nation's life. We have to qualify for the World Cup. The rich know two ways about it. We have to. We have to. So many times I've said it. We can talk about the corruption, but that's going to come. That is going to come.

1:02:49John Obi Mikel:Tomorrow. Yeah. Another day. But right now, it's about winning those games and getting us through to March and March. We have to deal about, deal again with another player. So the players should be motivated. because the country and everybody supporting them. I do know that. Everybody wants them to do well. We all want them to do well. As ex-players as well, we all want them to do well. We are all supporting them because it's going to be a disaster sitting down in the summer, flipping your TVs, trying to find a game where there's a Nigerian game and there's none. No, I want to be able to flip my TV in the summer or commentate, talk about the game.

1:03:29John Obi Mikel:Give you a job.

1:03:33and analyze the game. Come and stand on the game. That's what I want to do. So in other words, John wants you to qualify because John wants a job in the summer. That's what you said. No, but I'm with you on everything you've said. Nigeria are a massive nation. Gabon, get past that. Then do another win. It's easier said than done. My final one to you, they're going to win both those games, yes?

1:03:58John Obi Mikel:I think we're going to win both those games. I think we have to win both those games. But again, like I said, mate, the first game is the most important game. Gabon is the most important game. Don't underestimate Gabon. Don't underestimate Gabon. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Please don't. Because then we're in trouble. If we do that, we're in trouble. Go into that game, playing like this is the last game you ever play in your life. Win that game. And then think about either Cameroon or someone else. The mistake we're going to make is to think, oh, it's just Gabon. No, then we are fucked. Then we're done completely.

1:04:33John Obi Mikel:We cannot make that mistake. We cannot underestimate Gabon. Go in the game, play as we should, with full of confidence, bravery, passion. Above all, passion. Knowing that you're wearing the green, white, green, the badge of that green, white, green is huge. 300 million people. That's massive. That's a lot of pressure. That's a lot of pressure. But you have to deal with it. You have to deal with it as a football player. You have to. So I know they can do it. I believe in the players. So we have to support them. I don't want to get into 1.2 million, FIFA giving the money or not giving the money.

1:05:18John Obi Mikel:Did they build a stadium or not build a stadium? I saw something that was built somewhere. Oh my God, horrible. I don't want to get into that. Just win. Just win the game. Win this week. That's all. That's all that matters. Right. He is backing a Nigeria win. A couple of wins. I know he is. Right. Want to mark your cards. Next episode of the Obi-Wan Podcast made possible by Betwinner. It's finally here. It is our live event. Yes. With John Terry. That's going to be available to download and of course to watch on our YouTube channel at the end of this week. So get on that. We've got more big names aplenty as well.

1:05:55A couple of weeks off now, John. Yes. we can relax enjoy Nigeria enjoy the Super Eagles

1:06:00John Obi Mikel:I will be watching yeah we all will be watching I'll be watching biting our fingers biting our nails biting our fingernails I'll be doing that for you I want Nigeria to be there I just want you to be paid next summer right that is it we'll be back with another edition of Taken in the Kel very soon