Scandal with Mikel: How Chelsea Avoided Punishment for Suspicious Transfers.

According to The Sun: According to sources at the west London club, SUNSPORT reports the latest events from 'Stamford Bridge'.

This week, the new issue of 'Chelsea Files' has a lot of interesting content.

Chelsea faced 74 accusations of suspicious dealings with agents this month PA CHELSEA FC

MIKEL’S STORY

Among the 74 accusations from the Football Association regarding Chelsea's suspicious transfer dealings, it is worth mentioning the scandal that went unpunished for 'Chelsea' and their opponents 'Manchester United'.

John Obi Mikel became a legend at 'Stamford Bridge', but his deal was one of the most controversial in football history.

Chelsea and United tried to hide the details that led to the incident with Mikel in 2006.

In June of the same year, both clubs signed an agreement that stipulated that 'Chelsea' would pay United £12 million and the Norwegian club Lyn Oslo £4 million to resolve all disputes.

The document contained the following condition:

“Each party agrees not to encourage any Football bodies or other public authorities to investigate Mikel or his registration as a player.”

However, Norwegian investigative journalists Lars Bache Madsen and Jens M. Johansson uncovered this agreement and other important details.

They revealed everything in their book 'Lost Diamonds', which became part of a broader investigation concerning the issues young players from West Africa face as they make their way to Europe through various routes.

SUNSPORT has the details of the Mikel case that did not go through the publication's legal department, but the main story turns out to be quite shocking.

Chelsea broke FIFA rules by 'signing' Mikel when he was just 16 and sent him to Lyn Oslo with Nigerian friends to wait until he was 18 to sign a professional contract.

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Chelsea's Foreign Deals from 2010-11 to 2015-16

The accusations against Chelsea likely relate to deals for foreign players rather than domestic transfers.

Here are all the foreign signings of the club during the mentioned period.

2010-11

• Tomas Kalas, Olomouc £5.2m
• Ramires, Benfica £18m
• Matej Delac, Inter Zapresic £800,000
• David Luiz, Benfica £21.3m

2011-12

• Thibaut Courtois, Genk £8m
• Oriol Romeu, Barcelona £4m
• Romelu Lukaku, Anderlecht £10m
• Juan Mata, Valencia £23.5m
• Ulises Davila, Guadalajara £1.75m
• Kenneth Omeruo, Liege, undisclosed
• Lucas Piazon, Sao Paulo £6m
• Kevin de Bruyne, Genk £6.7m

2012-13

• Lamisha Musonda, Anderlecht, undisclosed
• Charly Musonda, Anderlecht £1.75m
• Tika Musonda, Anderlecht undisclosed
• Andreas Christensen, Brondby free
• Marko Marin, Werder Bremen £6m
• Eden Hazard, Lille £32m
• Thorgan Hazard, Lens £800,000
• Oscar, Internacional £19.5m
• Cesar Azpilicueta, Marseille £7m
• Wallace, Fluminense £5.1m
• Ali Suljic, Motala AIF undisclosed

2013-14

• Andre Schurrle, Leverkusen £18.7m
• Josimar Quintero, Barcelona undisclosed
• Marco van Ginkel, Vitesse Arnhem £8m
• Cristian Cuevas, O’Higgins £1.7m
• Willian Anzhi, Makhachkala £30m
• Samuel Eto’o, Anzhi Makhachkala £2m
• Christian Atsu, Porto £3.5m
• Bertrand Traore, Jeunes Espoirs, undisclosed
• Nemanja Matic, Benfica £21m
• Mo Salah, Basel £11m
• Kurt Zouma, St Etienne £12.5m
• Marko Pasilic, Hajduk Split undisclosed

2014-15

• Cesc Fabregas, Barcelona £27m
• Miro Muheim, Zurich undisclosed
• Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid £32m
• Felipe Luis, Atletico Madrid £15.8m
• Didier Drogba, Galatasaray free
• Hubert Adamczyk, Zawisza Bydgoszcz, undisclosed
• Juan Cuadrado, Fiorentina £23.3m

2015-16

• Nathan, Atletico Paranaense £4.5m
• Joseph Colley, Brommapojkarna, undisclosed
• Danilo Pantic, Partizan Belgrade £1.25m
• Baba Rahman, Augsburg £14m
• Pedro, Barcelona £21.4m
• Kenedy, Fluminense £6.3m
• Papy Djilobodji, Nantes £2.7m
• Marco Amelia, Lupa Castelli Romani, free
• Matt Miazga, NY Red Bulls £3.5m

All plans were proceeding as scheduled until United announced in 2005 that they had signed Mikel.

The only 'but' was that Lyn's executive director Mogan Andersen forged Mikel's signature to facilitate the sale to United.

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Neither Chelsea nor United wanted the public to know about this situation, so they tried to cover up, which allowed Mikel to eventually move to 'Stamford Bridge'.

In the end, only Andersen was punished. In 2008, he was sentenced to a year in prison for forgery concerning Mikel’s documents.

After this verdict, Chelsea began legal proceedings against Lyn to recover all £16 million paid, claiming that the club in Norway was liable for “fraudulent representation” concerning the status of the player's contract.

However, the 'Blues' themselves were guilty of misconduct in the arrangement of the deal – and this is not the first time during Roman Abramovich's era.

MATCH ITERATION

A resulting free kick became a 'knife' in the heart of Chelsea during the match against Brentford that took place last weekend.

The goal that occurred at that moment caused particular pain for Chelsea's set-piece coach Bernardo Keva, who joked that he was 'hurt by his own weapon', walking through the mixed zone, knowing that he had previously worked at Brentford.

Keva joined the 'Blues' from 'The Bees' in March 2024, starting his duties the following summer.

Despite Brentford frequently utilizing free kicks under his guidance, they happily commented on how they became the 'kings' of this technique after his departure – when Fabio Carvalho equalized in a late game.

The London club reported on its website that of the 24 goals scored from free kicks in the Premier League since the start of the 2024/5 season, the club scored seven – which is 28 percent.

SHUTTERSTOCK

At this point, Chelsea has not utilized free kicks in many stages of the current season. But the 'Blues' and Keva realize the importance of effectively dealing with these situations in both directions on the field.

According to Premier League statistics, free kicks – distance deliveries over 20 meters – happen on average 3.03 times per game.

This is significantly higher than in any other season since 2015/16, nearly doubling the previous peak of 1.67 in 2018/19.

Chelsea has some 'long throw' specialists for this, such as Liam Delap.

The injured forward is the son of long throw legend Rory, a former player for 'Stoke' and 'Republic of Ireland'.

Delap Jr was BANED from taking 'long throws' as a child because rival teams' parents complained that they were 'ruining the game'.

Keva will have no complaints regarding this matter.

OUT OF NOWHERE

Nicolas Jackson will have the chance to show Chelsea what they are missing on Wednesday evening.

Players who are loaned to Premier League rivals cannot play against their parent club, but this rule does not apply in the Champions League.

Jackson experienced a dramatic deadline day, as his transfer to 'Bayern', who are hosting the 'Blues' in Europe tomorrow, was initially canceled and then reinstated.

The Senegalese is unlikely to start the game against Vincent Kompany's team, but the German club will utilize his knowledge, whether he plays or not.

Bayern's sporting director Max Eberl said:

“I am sure that Vincent Kompany and the coaching staff will ask him. There are always certain processes that will come to light in analysis. I am confident that the coaching staff will use this.”

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UNUSUAL ROLE OF GUIU

When Mark Guíu was returned from Sunderland, he hoped to at least make it onto the bench during Chelsea’s striker crisis.

However, the young Spaniard accompanied the team to Brentford but remained off the main roster, taking on the role of 'extra' player.

When Cole Palmer withdrew from the game against 'West Ham' during the warm-up – just before Guíu returned from Sunderland – the third goalkeeper Gaga Slonina found himself on the bench.

Enzo Maresca assured that Guíu will get his chance this season with many matches, but questions arise regarding the sustainability of his return.

Shim Menuka is confidently showcasing himself in the U21 squad, and there is consideration for bringing forward Emmanuel Emechi from sister club 'Strasbourg' in January next summer.

It is hard to imagine Guíu remaining with the club next summer, especially if he does not get the chance to showcase his abilities.

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ROGERS' ROSES

Chelsea will closely monitor contract negotiations between Morgan Rogers and Aston Villa.

The Midlander club did not allow Rogers to move to 'Chelsea', Arsenal, 'Tottenham', and other candidates in the summer, finding alternative ways to bolster finances in compliance with Profit and Sustainability Rules.

The young English talent has yet to meet expectations in a tumultuous start to the Villa season, but Chelsea remains interested in signing him.

And while it remains unclear whether Villa will continue talks about improving Rogers' terms for the second time in less than a year, it is noteworthy that last November, Rogers signed a new contract with Villa until 2030 with no exit clause included.

ALAMY

Theoretically, Villa should not feel pressured to provide Rogers with a new contract, which would entail an exit clause at a specified price or increase his salary.

However, in practice, adherence to financial fair-play regulations is significant for clubs like Villa and Newcastle, which could lead to the necessity of asset sales if they do not qualify for the Champions League.

Ollie Watkins, who also attracted attention during the transfer window, will celebrate his 30th birthday during this season, placing Rogers at the center of Villa's attention.

Chelsea signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Heathens, and Alejandro Garnacho to strengthen Enzo Maresca's attacking options in the summer.

Still, the 'Blues' will not hesitate to turn to Rogers if the price is acceptable next year.

VAR SECRETS

Chelsea, reportedly, received some luck with VAR when goals by Eberechi Eze and Josh King were disallowed, preventing them from sinking to the bottom against Crystal Palace and Fulham.

Now, Chelsea fans feel aggrieved, believing that Brentford's last goal should have been disallowed due to offside from Dango Uttara.

After a lengthy VAR discussion, it was decided that the Brentford winger did not break the rules, even though he had 'let the ball pass' directly before Reece James.

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Fans insisted that even the slightest touch to the ball could have led to disallowing the goal.

Revised VAR information claims:

“Uttara did not touch the ball, so the VAR decision was subjective.”

The on-field team informed VAR that they were not aware of Uttara's offside but believed he did not perform an actionable offense; hence the goal was awarded.

The head of PGMOL Howard Webb confirmed that the threshold for intervention will be raised after the controversial decision to disallow King’s goal for 'Fulham', thus Chelsea ultimately became a victim of its own luck.

The article has been adjusted for flow and clarity, while retaining all original quotes and relevant details.