Mikel oozes class in midfield, Babayaro starts as Chelsea Legends beaten by Liverpool
Published: March 23, 2025
A Chelsea Legends team managed by Roberto Di Matteo were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the annual LFC Foundation charity match held at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Former Nigeria internationals John Obi Mikel and Celestine Babayaro were named in Chelsea's starting lineup, with the midfielder going the distance and the fullback in action for 34 minutes before making way for Loic Remy.
Mikel was identified as one of Chelsea's standout performers, together with his midfield partner Claude Makelele and wide men Florent Malouda and Ramires.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner showed he's still in top shape, completing the full match alongside Robert Huth and Florent Malouda.
In the 55th minute, Peter Crouch broke the deadlock with a looping header, then doubled his tally soon after to cap off a memorable Anfield comeback.
After Crouch's brace, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Gianfranco Zola combined in the build-up before a clever flick from Mikel set up Jon Harley, whose spectacular lob from a tight angle drifted just wide.
Mikel spent ten and a half years at The Blues, during which he won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and both the Champions League and Europa League before leaving in 2017.
Babayaro featured in Chelsea's thrilling side under Gianluca Vialli, lifting the FA Cup in 2000, and in his final season, contributed to the club's first-ever Premier League title triumph.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit: chelseafc.com
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Son of former Super Eagles left-back makes UYL debut for Chelsea in win against Bayern
- 'I said to him' – Nottingham Forest boss reveals message to Ola Aina after defender's surgery
- 'Makes the team better' – Werder Bremen attacker highlights importance of Boniface
- Confirmed: Galatasaray omit Victor Osimhen from squad to face Eintracht Frankfurt
- Concern for Galatasaray as Osimhen misses final training session before trip to Frankfurt
- Opposition watch: Colombia name Arsenal GK in U20 World Cup squad to face Flying Eagles
- 'It was Uche in the second half' – Crystal Palace boss warns Super Eagles midfielder after Millwall win
- Transforming expertise into income online
- 'We talked to him' – Juric insists Atalanta are focused on PSG not Lookman scandal
- Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina breaks silence after undergoing surgery on September 13


- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Non Gamstop Casinos
- Non Gamstop Casino sites
- UK Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Vsbet
- F168
- MB88
- keo nha cai
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- 789club
- iwin
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- F168
- F168
- hi88