John Obi Mikel has admitted that Manchester City have signed a player that he wanted Chelsea to land instead.
The Citizens may have had a poor season by their usually stratospheric standards, but their appeal to the best players shows no signs of abating.
Manchester City have signed a multitude of top players this year, with the likes of Abdukodir Khusanov, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Sverre Nypan coming on board.
John Obi Mikel, speaking on the Obi One podcast, has now said that he doesn’t understand why Chelsea allowed Man City to swoop in and sign a different star.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy during warm up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 5, 2025
Photo by Claudio Villa – FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images
John Obi Mikel wishes Chelsea had beaten Manchester City to Gianluigi Donnarumma
Chelsea have had their fair share of issues on the goalkeeping front over the past 12 months, with neither Robert Sanchez nor Filip Jorgensen impressing.
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Mikel believes Gianluigi Donnarumma was right there for the Blues to sign after Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique froze him out.
However, Man City landed Donnarumma instead, and Mikel admitted he wasn’t happy with Chelsea’s lack of effort in attempting to sign him.
“I thought we could have gone out and brought in another top goalkeeper,” said Mikel.
“There was a certain goalkeeper that was available on the market, Donnarumma. He (Enzo Maresca) could have just gone out and got him.
“I don’t understand why the club didn’t go out and get him. He is one of the best goalkeepers right now in the world.”
READ MORE: Further evidence emerges that Manchester City player is unhappy under Pep Guardiola – ‘these guys are joking’
What has been said about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s distribution that Manchester City fans will love
Donnarumma’s move to Man City has raised eyebrows in some quarters.
Some believe Donnarumma’s arrival is unfair for James Trafford, who joined just weeks earlier.
Others feel Donnarumma’s distribution is not at the level that City have been used to under Ederson.
However, Joe Hart recently sought to allay fears over Donnarumma’s distribution, saying: “He is capable with his feet, more than capable.”
Meanwhile, Donnarumma’s former coach Alfredo Magni said: “The thing that leaves me amazed is Donnarumma has the aptitude to play that type of game [build-up from the back].
“And the fact Guardiola wants him confirms the thesis, doesn’t it?”