John Obi Mikel's Father Kidnapped!

John Obi Mikel played the full 90 minutes for Chelsea yesterday, despite being given the news that his father has been kidnapped back home in Nigeria.

Mikel was told the news just hours before yesterday’s game against Stoke City, and he decided to play the game so he would not let down his team and family according to a statement by his management team SEM.

John Ola Shittu is Mikel’s agent and he has been speaking on behalf of the player and he has said the following. “It’s been tough for the young man. The family in Jos reported him missing at the police station as expected, but we’re taking all necessary measures to find him. We’ve told him to be brave and to stay calm.”

Shittu went on to say, “He is totally devastated. We were not sure whether to tell him before the game, but after speaking to Andre Villas-Boas and Mike Emenalo we agreed that he had a right to be informed of such a serious incident. He was under a lot of stress, but he showed a lot of character and mental strength to play against Stoke.”

Chelsea have offered their full support to Mikel and they have issued the following statement. It reads, “Everyone at Chelsea Football Club was very shocked to hear that John Mikel Obi’s father has been reported missing and possibly abducted. We will give Mikel and his family our full support at this most difficult time.”

We of course echo those kind words and hope that Mikel’s father is found safe and well.