Drogba surprised by Mikel’s China move

THE decision by Nigeria’s captain, Mikel Obi to quit Chelsea and join Chinese team, Tianjin TEDA has taken Didier Drogba by surprise.

Drogba, now a free agent after spells in the Major League Soccer, (MLS), told RUR D’Abidjan that Mikel fully involved him in discussions and plans to leave Chelsea but was never briefed on the China move.

“I almost did not believe that until I saw the picture of the signing,’’ Drogba said.

“It was a tough time for Mikel at Chelsea under Antonio Conte but I know him as a strong and intelligent person. We had talks of Mikel going to Marseille in France or Valencia but China? I heard no idea.”

The former Ivorian captain also believes China needs big players like Carlos Tevez, Oscar and Mikel.

“They have the crowd and the requisite passion and sponsorship. It is an exciting football environment, they are very much in love with players who had played in the English Premiership because far there, they follow English football. While there, I enjoyed every second of it,’’ said Drogba who also played in the Chinese top division.