Obi Mikel hails Youri Tielemans as best summer signing, calls £35m Man Utd deal a bargain
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has named Manchester United’s new recruit Youri Tielemans as the best signing of the summer so far. Speaking on The Obi One podcast, Mikel praised the Belgian’s versatility, noting he can operate as a defensive six, box‑to‑box eight, or attacking ten, and highlighted his goal‑scoring threat, set‑piece ability, close control, and remarkable game intelligence despite lacking pace. He described the £35 million fee as an absolute bargain, especially after observing Tielemans during the 2026 World Cup. United have also added Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow this window, but Tielemans stands out to Mikel as the standout midfielder. Tielemans has yet to debut for the Red Devils due to an injury sustained during the World Cup.
For Nigerian fans, Mikel’s endorsement signals confidence in a player who could quickly impact United’s midfield and adds excitement about the club’s recruitment strategy. The £35 million price tag raises questions about value in today’s market and whether Tielemans’ all‑around skill set will fill creative and defensive gaps in Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Will you expect Tielemans to start regularly once fit, consider his versatility a solution to Man Utd’s midfield imbalance, or think the £35 million fee reflects a smart buy given his World Cup pedigree and limited pace?