Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has strongly criticized the club’s recent transfer decisions, questioning the impact of Nicolas Jackson and Jadon Sancho while reaffirming his concerns about the team’s recruitment strategy. Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, the ex-Nigerian international did not hold back.
On Nicolas Jackson:
Mikel dismissed the notion that the Senegalese striker is the solution to Chelsea’s attacking struggles.
“People are saying Nicolas Jackson is the solution to our problems, but he’s not the solution. Before he was injured, he didn’t score in eight. How is he the solution to the problem? He’s not. There’s been so many chances created by Cole Palmer and missed.”
Jackson, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023, has been inconsistent in front of goal, leading to frustrations among fans and pundits alike.
On Jadon Sancho:
Mikel also took a swipe at Jadon Sancho, who before he was linked with Chelsea was phenomenon on returning from Borussia Dortmund on loan from Manchester United.
“Jadon Sancho came in and deceived us [Chelsea] with a couple of games, and we thought, ‘f* hell, we are getting the Sancho from Dortmund,’ but he’s gone again. I don’t know what happened to him, but he has disappeared off the grid.”
Sancho’s struggles at Manchester United have been well-documented, and Mikel’s comments reflect the skepticism surrounding his ability to deliver consistently at the highest level.
On Chelsea’s Recruitment Failures:
Mikel reiterated his long-standing concerns about Chelsea’s transfer strategy, particularly their failure to sign a proven striker and a top-class goalkeeper.
“The recruitment process in the summer wasn’t good enough, which I talked about. People said I wanted Victor Osimhen at the club because he’s my friend. No, he’s not. We needed a striker, we needed a top goalkeeper. I’ve been right the whole time. That’s what we needed.”
Chelsea’s failure to secure a marquee striker has been a key talking point among analysts, with Jackson and Armando Broja struggling to fill the void left by previous number nines. The lack of an elite goalkeeper has also been an issue, with Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrović facing criticism for inconsistent performances.
With Chelsea enduring a turbulent season, Mikel’s comments add to the growing scrutiny on the club’s decision-making, as fans and former players continue to demand better planning and execution in the transfer market.