John Obi Mikel hasn’t held back in his criticism of his former club Chelsea, calling out their recent poor form and lack of leadership.
The former Blues midfielder, who spent over a decade with the club, voiced his frustration on his podcast after Chelsea’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Brighton on Friday.
This defeat marked the Blues’ second win in their last nine Premier League matches, sending their title hopes crashing down.
Mikel Criticizes Manager’s Comments and Chelsea’s Underperformance
Chelsea was considered a title contender back in December, but their recent slump has dashed any hopes of finishing top of the league.
Despite this, manager Enzo Maresca claimed that the team is ahead of schedule, having been tasked with qualifying for the Champions League in two years.
Mikel, however, was not impressed by these remarks.
He went on a rant during his podcast, saying, “Who the f*** has told them that? Are you f***ing kidding me? This is Chelsea Football Club. We are a Champions League football club.”
He expressed disbelief at the idea that the club is ahead of schedule, insisting that Chelsea should be aiming for much more than merely meeting expectations in the future.
Mikel Takes Aim at Jadon Sancho’s Performance
Mikel also criticized Jadon Sancho, who has struggled to live up to expectations since joining Manchester United on loan.
The Nigerian midfielder highlighted Sancho’s lack of intensity in games, particularly during the loss to Brighton, saying there was no leadership or guidance on the pitch.
“There was no one telling Sancho what the f*** are you doing?” he lamented, adding that Sancho’s earlier strong performances now seem like a distant memory.
Mikel Calls for Striker and Leadership at Chelsea
In his critique, Mikel also addressed Chelsea’s striker situation, urging the club to sign a new forward. He emphasized the need for a leader within the team, calling for someone who can hold the players accountable and demand more from them.
Mikel made it clear that while players like Nicholas Jackson have potential, they need support and leadership, particularly when injuries take their toll.
“I know I keep going back to when we were at the club,” Mikel said, “but that’s something that helped us.
When you’re not doing things right, JT (John Terry) calls you in, goes to maybe meet you in the gym, maybe by the pool area, and says, ‘Listen, what’s happening? You need to do more.'”
He made it clear that Chelsea’s current squad lacks that strong figure to push them when things get tough.
Mikel Critiques Reece James’ Captaincy and Leadership
Mikel wasn’t done with his criticisms.
He also took aim at Chelsea captain Reece James, saying the defender needs to step up more as a leader.
Mikel argued that James, who has been plagued by injuries, can’t be a vocal leader if he’s not consistently on the pitch.
“You can only do more by your performances,” Mikel said. “You need to be on the f***ing pitch.”
For Mikel, James hasn’t done enough to guide his team in tough moments.
Mikel Expresses Disappointment in Chelsea’s Failures
Reflecting on the disappointing results, Mikel expressed his frustration at Chelsea’s failure to perform, especially after a promising start to the season.
He stressed that the holiday period should never be an excuse for poor form, especially when competing for the Premier League.
Chelsea’s record of two wins out of ten matches since December has been a massive disappointment for Mikel.
The Pressure Falls on Chelsea’s Owners
Mikel didn’t hold back in his final remarks, directing his frustration towards the club’s owners.
He emphasized that Chelsea’s new owners should focus on winning trophies, not just making profits.
“If you buy Chelsea Football Club and think you are here to make a profit, no mate, you can f*** off,” Mikel said.
“You need to win trophies.” For Mikel, Chelsea’s legacy has always been about success on the field, and he believes the current owners should prioritize that above all else.