Mikel Obi vs Claude Makelele: Jose Mourinho decides Chelsea's greatest defensive midfielder

Super Eagles of Nigeria legend Mikel Obi has sparked a massive debate about his former team Chelsea Football Club.

Mikel Obi was spotted with Jose Mourinho when he visited Turkey.

Mourinho was asked who was a better player for Chelsea between John Obi Mikel and Claude Makelele on the Obi One podcast.

The Fenerbahce, manager had two extremely successful stints in charge of Chelsea earlier in his career.

Makelele, who played for Chelsea from 2003 to 2008, is unquestionably a cult figure because of his enormous impact.

Mikel, who played for Chelsea from 2006 until 2017, was a talented defensive midfield and is compared to his predecessor.

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He played a significant role in the team that won the club's first Champions League in 2012.

Mourinho said: “John Obi Mikel or Claude Makelele? Two [players] who were a pain in my ass for different reasons.

“One (Mikel) was a young guy who already thought he was the best in the world but he wasn’t.

"I had to help him become the top player that he was.

"The old guy (Makelele) knew more about what a ‘number six’ is than me. He knew more than me.

"Amazing! But he was in the phase of his career where [he would say]: ‘Boss, we have Champions League on Wednesday, can you give me the weekend off?’ Both were amazing.”

The statement by Mourinho comes as a separator between Mikel and Makelele with Ngolo Kante who is another name to be considered.