Quiet man Ricardo Carvalho did much of his talking on the pitch during a glittering career that included successful spells with Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Here, ‘Riccy’ sets the record straight as he sits down with John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy for a rare interview. And he doesn’t disappoint.

Carvalho opens up on his unique relationship with José Mourinho - manager he’s played under at three different clubs and who signed him twice. He also reveals what made his partnership with John Terry so special, and no it wasn’t down to communication!

Carvalho also discusses life at Real Madrid and going head-to-head with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. As for the genius of Lionel Messi?! How do you set about trying to stop him?

And Carvalho also doesn’t shy away from Portugal’s disappointing 2026 World Cup. Part of Roberto Martinez’s backroom staff, he’s in a position to pass judgement on their campaign, with talking inevitably turning to Cristiano Ronaldo.

So the big question: should he have been dropped?

And if all of that wasn’t enough, Carvalho gives his views on modern-day defending, picks a shock name for the player he likes the most and also puts the Premier League’s greatest defensive partnerships under the microscope.

There’s an awful lot to unpack on this episode of Taking the Mikel as John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy dissect only Tottenham’s second league win at Chelsea in 36 years and the chaos that has engulfed Manchester United after yet another defeat.

Mikel explains why he’s not hitting the panic button after a chastening night at Stamford Bridge and why Bruno Fernandes should hang his head in shame.

The guys discuss Man Utd’s troubles at length, ponder whether Antonio Conte is the man for a ‘cultural reset’ and pay tribute to a new-look José Mourinho after an El Clásico success.

Nicolas Jackson also gets his flowers after making it seven goals in as many games for a rejuvenated Aston Villa which leads to the question: is Unai Emery the man for the biggest job in football right now?

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The Obi One Podcast is in Accra, Ghana for an exclusive sit-down with André Ayew.

Filmed in front of a live audience, Ayew talks candidly about making his own name and stepping out of the shadow of his father, Abedi Pele. He also outlines the ills currently blighting Ghanian football, and hints at a future run for President!

The former Marseille and Swansea man reminisces about winning a historic FIFA Under-20 World Cup, the regrets he has with the Black Stars, and why Luis Suaréz’s infamous handball at the 2010 World Cup hurt African football.

Ayew also talks about his club career and why moves to Liverpool and Inter Milan never materialised, and why Chelsea were lucky to see the best of a certain Michael Essien.

The Obi One Podcast in conversation with André Ayew.