REALLY ? I moved to China for Nigeria not for money- Mikel Obi

hehehehe......Super Eagles captain and former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel explained why he accepted to move to Chinese Premier League to team up with Tianjin Teda. He said it was done to help Nigeria’s push to be at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Mikel had been primarily snubbed from playing with the first team by Chelsea Coach, Antonio Conte, but he still remained a regular for the national team


So he decided to move to Tianjin Teda on a three year deal so that he could get some playing time.
Mikel said during an interview with Owngoalnigeria.com:

“I could easily have stayed in Chelsea for the remaining six months of my contract but it won’t be in the best interest of my nation, as they need me match fit when the World Cup 2018 qualifiers resume”. 

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make but I seriously need matches to stay fit for Nigeria. Nigerians don’t deserve to miss out of the World Cup after back to back failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations”.

Adding that he didn't do it for the money even though his current paycheck is double what he made at Chelsea.

John Obi Mikel made his first appearance for his new club, Tianjin TEDA, in their 2-1 defeat in a friendly match to Borussia Mochengladbach’s U-23 team, at the Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium.
The Super Eagles midfielder has been given the no. 10 shirt, but was unable to inspire Jaime Pacheco’s team, from losing the game.

Zhou Tong scored TEDA’s only goal of the match.
Mikel Obi was taken off in the second half, alongside fellow debutant Wang Dong, Zhou Liao and Goodley.
TEDA will continue their winter training in preparation for the new season in Tianjin, having finished the last campaign in 11th place in the Chinese Super League.