The Obi One Podcast

Quiet man Ricardo Carvalho did much of his talking on the pitch during a glittering career that included successful spells with Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Here, ‘Riccy’ sets the record straight as he sits down with John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy for a rare interview. And he doesn’t disappoint.

Carvalho opens up on his unique relationship with José Mourinho - manager he’s played under at three different clubs and who signed him twice. He also reveals what made his partnership with John Terry so special, and no it wasn’t down to communication!

Carvalho also discusses life at Real Madrid and going head-to-head with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. As for the genius of Lionel Messi?! How do you set about trying to stop him?

And Carvalho also doesn’t shy away from Portugal’s disappointing 2026 World Cup. Part of Roberto Martinez’s backroom staff, he’s in a position to pass judgement on their campaign, with talking inevitably turning to Cristiano Ronaldo.

So the big question: should he have been dropped?

And if all of that wasn’t enough, Carvalho gives his views on modern-day defending, picks a shock name for the player he likes the most and also puts the Premier League’s greatest defensive partnerships under the microscope.

There’s an awful lot to unpack on this episode of Taking the Mikel as John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy dissect only Tottenham’s second league win at Chelsea in 36 years and the chaos that has engulfed Manchester United after yet another defeat.

Mikel explains why he’s not hitting the panic button after a chastening night at Stamford Bridge and why Bruno Fernandes should hang his head in shame.

The guys discuss Man Utd’s troubles at length, ponder whether Antonio Conte is the man for a ‘cultural reset’ and pay tribute to a new-look José Mourinho after an El Clásico success.

Nicolas Jackson also gets his flowers after making it seven goals in as many games for a rejuvenated Aston Villa which leads to the question: is Unai Emery the man for the biggest job in football right now?

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The Obi One Podcast is in Accra, Ghana for an exclusive sit-down with André Ayew.

Filmed in front of a live audience, Ayew talks candidly about making his own name and stepping out of the shadow of his father, Abedi Pele. He also outlines the ills currently blighting Ghanian football, and hints at a future run for President!

The former Marseille and Swansea man reminisces about winning a historic FIFA Under-20 World Cup, the regrets he has with the Black Stars, and why Luis Suaréz’s infamous handball at the 2010 World Cup hurt African football.

Ayew also talks about his club career and why moves to Liverpool and Inter Milan never materialised, and why Chelsea were lucky to see the best of a certain Michael Essien.

The Obi One Podcast in conversation with André Ayew.

John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy review a weekend that saw a Cole Palmer-inspired Chelsea hit Bournemouth for five and Manchester City put their legal woes behind them to thrash Liverpool at Anfield.

Just how good is Chelsea’s front three? Mikel has special praise for one of the triumvirate in particular while the guys explain why a ruling in City’s appeal against the Premier League is a must before the end of the season.

Michael Carrick’s troubles at Manchester United also come under the microscope as the guys name their number one choice to replace him in the Old Trafford dugout should the axe fall in the coming weeks.

Mikel also weighs in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s predicament with the Portuguese national team, with the message: ‘must do better’.

Willian is our special guest on this episode of the Obi One Podcast as the Brazilian reflects on his glittering career.

Here, he opens on the protracted nature of his 11th hour move to Chelsea and reveals just how close he came to doing a ‘Roman Abramovich’ and opting for Tottenham.

Willian also opens up on life inside the famed Chelsea dressing room, his admiration for Eden Hazard and the dynamics of his working relationship with Frank Lampard: from team-mate to gaffer.

The Brazilian also provides fascinating insight into the early stages of Mikel Arteta’s revolution at Arsenal, painting a different picture to the one so carefully cultivated today.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, Willian also recalls the worst day of his professional career, and a result Brazilian football still hasn’t recovered from.

John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy have their say on the bombshell news that Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 charges related to breaches of Premier League regulations.

What does this mean for the club moving forward? What is a suitable punishment should the guilty verdict be upheld? And what’s the impact on Pep Guardiola’s managerial legacy? The guys discuss it all in this episode of Taking the Mikel.

Obi also takes aim at the contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or and reveals who’d get his vote, while Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of Cole Palmer is also a bone of contention.

André Villas-Boas joins the Obi One Podcast to set the record straight once and for all on his time at both Chelsea and Tottenham. And trust us, he doesn’t hold back!

Welcoming John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy to FC Porto where he now serves as President, AVB outlines his vision for the club and the challenges faced by the cash-rich Premier League.

AVB then lifts the lid on what REALLY happened during his ill-fated eight months in charge at Chelsea. From Roman Abramovich’s exodus plea and fall-outs with key players to feeling betrayed by Roberto Di Matteo and a Champions League Final revelation.

Villas-Boas also details his time at Tottenham, reveals the catalyst for Gareth Bale’s metamorphosis into one of the world’s best players and an extraordinary phone call that saw him spurn the advances of PSG… much to the annoyance of Daniel Levy.

André Villas-Boas, as you’ve never seen or heard him before, on the Obi One Podcast.

It’s the day after the night before and the VAR farce that has the whole footballing world talking. John Obi Mikel believes the ‘game is gone’, and he might not be wrong. From clueless refereeing officials to Michael Oliver’s arrogance to throw-in rules that make no sense, the guys cover it all.

Mikel also believes Chelsea are on the right track despite shipping another two goals in their draw with Hull City, and explains why he’d rather be in Xabi Alonso’s shoes right now than Roberto De Zerbi’s.

Martin Odegaard gets his flowers while Mikel also calls on a couple of Nigerian legends to step up. Enough with words, it’s time for action as the crisis engulfing Nigerian football gets worse.

Obafemi Martins joins the Obi One Podcast to reflect on a career that burned bright for both club and country.

In this episode, ‘ObaGoal’ reminisces about his big breakthrough at Inter Milan in 2002 and playing alongside a certain Brazilian, the machinations of his move to Newcastle and why his League Cup Final winner against Arsenal almost didn’t happen.

Martins also discusses his time with the Super Eagles, analyses Victor Osimhen’s game and tells us why there was no-one quicker than him. NO-ONE.

A winning start to life as Chelsea manager for Xabi Alonso has got John Obi Mikel excited. Here, him and Chris McHardy assess their 3-2 win at Fulham on the opening week, and explain why, in Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro, they might just have the league’s most devastating forward line.

It’s not all good news though as Mikel says ‘enough is enough’ with Robert Sanchez. Is Emi Martinez the answer, what of young Nigerian-Italian Honest Anahor and is Alex Scott the right man to replace wantaway Enzo Fernandez.

Mikel also can’t resist a pop at Manchester United (look away now, Harry Maguire), has a warning for Ayyoub Bouaddi and explains why he DOESN’T have a problem with Ollie Watkins’ antics at Aston Villa.

Oh, is Cole Palmer the player to watch in the Premier League this season…