Mikel's dream turns into a nightmare

John Obi Mikel may go on to achieve great things in football, but what many have predicted will be a glittering career has had the most inauspicious start.

After just three professional games with Norwegian club Lyn Oslo, the 18-year-old is cowering in a London hotel, fearing for his life and uncertain as to where his future lies.

Ever since he began playing at the Pepsi Academy in Lagos eight years ago, Mikel's career has had a corporate tinge, but the bitter battle between Chelsea and Manchester United for his services is beyond anything he could have imagined. The prospect of two of the world's richest football clubs fighting over you may appear like a dream come true, but for Mikel this is a very real nightmare.

With football long established as a global game the competition for young talent has never been so intense.

In the last few days a sorry saga has emerged of lies, broken contracts and threats to human life. The rumours of bungs, backhanders and bribery could fill a book.

Agents such as Daniel Fletcher have lost out on potentially lucractive deals and clubs have outlayed huge sums with little return, but