Mikel was speaking to GOAL as part of a new campaign for the Google Pixel 10, likening his switch to the smartphone to his decision to sign for Chelsea in 2006 despite a deal being agreed to join Manchester United one year prior. He held a five-hour meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson to discuss a move and was even unveiled as a Red Devils player in a Nike shirt, only for the decision to be reversed and the midfielder headed to Stamford Bridge instead.
"It's the transfer window, isn't it? It's time for us to look back at my transfer saga. I know we can look back at it now and have a little laugh, but it was time for me to make my decision," he said. "That is the message behind the campaign as well. Don't be scared to switch things up, don't be scared to go with your heart, to make your own decisions, to create your own lane. That is the message behind the transfer to Pixel and the campaign.
"Back then, [Chelsea] wasn't the biggest club in the world, we had to create that history. We had to create what we see today. It took us nearly 15 years or so to be able to create what the club is all about today - one of the biggest clubs in the world. It was a great time for me to make my decision, going with my heart and not just going with what is out there and what everybody would go for. It’s about going with my heart, how I feel, how do I create my own history with this Chelsea team that is just growing.
"Obviously Jose Mourinho just joined the football club back then. I look back at Manchester United that won everything, why go with the trusted and tested that is Manchester United? Or do I go with Chelsea, create my own bit of history with the club and create my own name as well, which is exactly what I did.
"The message behind this campaign translates to that. Always go with your heart, always go with the way you feel, always know there's going to be an option out there. You don't have to go with what everybody is going with. You can also go with something that you can feel with your heart and which you believe is the right thing to do. That just translates to this transfer to the Pixel campaign which is absolutely amazing."
So would Mikel say has no regrets over signing for Chelsea over United? "Oh, yeah, definitely! Right decision," was his response. "I won everything with the football club. I was so lucky to play with so many fantastic players and under so many fantastic managers... we won the Champions League, the Premier League, we won everything. We were very successful, I'm very happy to have created that path that the young players we see today are enjoying the fruits of our labour. It's something that when I look back, I'm very, very pleased and very happy with my decision."
Ozgur Kirazci, Senior Marketing Director for Google UK, added: "The January transfer window is a major moment in the football calendar for players and fans alike, so we're delighted to partner with John Obi Mikel, shine a light on his amazing story and consider the benefits of switching to something new. There has never been a better time for fans to make their own switch to the Google Pixel 10, which has Pixel's most powerful chip, an incredible camera, and Gemini built in to help supercharge productivity and creativity."
Fans can follow in John Obi Mikel’s footsteps and #TransfertoPixel this January by trading in their old phone — and claim up to an extra £300. For more details, visit Google Store:https://store.google.com/category/phones?hl=en-GB