Nigerian singer Mr Eazi has claimed that Chelsea were interested in signing him alongside former Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel before he opted to pursue a career in music.
The artiste made the claim during an interview with Beat FM on Wednesday, recounting how he allegedly chose to let Mikel pursue football while he focused on his musical ambitions.
According to Mr Eazi, the two Nigerians were linked to a possible move to the English Premier League club, but he believed their talents were better suited to different career paths.
“They were gonna sign me. So it was like me and Mikel Obi,” he said.
Explaining his decision, the singer joked that Mikel lacked the talent to become a musician, while he believed he could make a name for himself in the music industry.
“I just thought that Mikel Obi is not, he doesn’t have talent as a musician. But I can do that. So I let Mikel go to Chelsea,” he said.
Mr Eazi also related the story to his philosophy about success and competition in the entertainment industry, suggesting that he was comfortable allowing others to enjoy the spotlight while he pursued his own financial and professional ambitions.
“So with this, with the music too, I had to, like, step back, go make a couple billions and then let other people shine,” he added.
The singer further referenced fellow Nigerian artiste Seyi Vibez, whom he jokingly described as a great Nigerian philosopher because of his message about allowing others to succeed.
Citing the expression, “Let your brother shine,” Mr Eazi said he was willing to let others take centre stage while he worked towards his own goals.
Mikel joined Chelsea in 2006 after emerging as one of Nigeria's most promising young footballers. He spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League, among other honours.
The midfielder also played a significant role in Nigeria's national team, helping the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
Mr Eazi, meanwhile, has established himself as a prominent figure in the Nigerian and international music scenes. He is known for his distinctive sound and contributions to the expansion of Afrobeats beyond Africa.
His claim about the alleged Chelsea interest adds an unexpected dimension to the contrasting career paths of the two Nigerians, although the account did not provide independent confirmation that the club considered signing the singer.
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