Mikel pays Jose tribute

John Obi Mikel has thanked Jose Mourinho for steering him onto the straight and narrow.

The Nigerian teenager joined The Blues from Lyn Oslo last summer but struggled to make an impression in the first half of the season.

His transfer came under scrutiny, he got red carded against Reading, and he was sent for a stint with the reserves after infuriating Mourinho with his casual attitude.

However, Mikel has emerged as a key member of the Chelsea side in recent months and is determined to keep on repaying Mourinho for the faith he has shown in him.

"I owe him everything. I don't want to talk about what happened before but he has been there for me for a long time since he came here," he said in the Daily Star Sunday.

"He gave me his word and coming into the team has made me very happy for him and myself."

Mikel believes his time away from the first team helped to resurrect his career.

"I was late for training and he said I wasn't being a good professional," he recalled.

"Because of what happened I had to go back and play for the reserves for a little while.

"But I am really happy now. Everything is going very well."