Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has made his frustrations with his former club clear, criticizing both the team’s poor performance and the lack of leadership on and off the pitch.

Mikel, who spent over a decade at Chelsea, didn’t hold back as he voiced his discontent with the current situation at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s Struggles Continue

Chelsea’s recent struggles continued with a disheartening 3-0 loss to Brighton, marking just two wins in their last nine Premier League games.

At the start of the season, many believed the Blues were in the race for the title, but now, it seems those hopes have faded completely.

Despite this, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insists the club is still ahead of its schedule, claiming that they are on track for Champions League qualification in two years.

However, Mikel disagreed vehemently with this optimistic view.

On his podcast, he expressed disbelief at the notion, stating, “Who the f*** has told them that? Are you f***ing kidding me? This is Chelsea Football Club.

We are a Champions League club, always have been.”

Leadership Issues and Missing Intensity

The 37-year-old also pointed to the lack of leadership within the team, specifically criticizing players like Jadon Sancho.

Mikel was especially frustrated by the absence of on-field direction during Chelsea’s recent matches.

Referring to the Brighton match, he said, “There was no character, no intensity, no leaders.

There was no one telling Jadon Sancho, ‘What the f*** are you doing?'”

Sancho, who has struggled to live up to expectations since joining Chelsea on loan, was called out for his lack of impact on the field.

Mikel questioned whether the player was living up to the hype he had created after some promising early performances.

“He’s disappeared off the grid,” Mikel added. “He’s not creating chances, not helping the team enough.”

The Need for Leadership and Toughness

Beyond the players, Mikel also expressed concerns about Chelsea’s lack of strong leadership.

He reflected on the more “hard-hitting” environment that Chelsea used to have, saying, “When you’re not doing things right, JT (John Terry) calls you in and tells you straight.

He doesn’t just let you slide, he makes sure you know the club demands more.”

Mikel also singled out captain Reece James for not stepping up as a leader in the same way as Chelsea’s past captains.

“You can’t be on the sidelines injured and expect to lead the team,” he said, pointing to James’ lack of presence in the squad as part of the issue.

Mikel’s Call for Improvement

Mikel didn’t mince words when it came to the club’s future.

He stated that failing to qualify for the Champions League this season would be a “massive disaster.”

With Chelsea’s recent form falling short of expectations, Mikel is hopeful that they can find their way back to success, but he believes more needs to be done, especially in terms of leadership and player responsibility.

“Cole Palmer’s form has dipped, but the guy can’t do it alone.

The pressure should always be on the owners. They bought Chelsea for trophies, not for profit,” Mikel concluded.

He made it clear that if the owners weren’t focused on winning, they shouldn’t be at the club.

As Chelsea’s season hangs in the balance, Mikel’s comments highlight the significant challenges the club faces, both in terms of performance and leadership.

Whether they can turn things around remains to be seen, but the pressure is certainly mounting on both the players and the management.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn