Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has voiced his disappointment over the club’s failure to reinforce two crucial positions during the January transfer window.
Under the management of new head coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea started the season on a high note, suffering just two league defeats before Christmas. However, their form has taken a downturn in recent weeks. The team has managed only three victories in their last nine matches across all competitions, which has seen them drop to fourth place in the Premier League. Chelsea now trail league leaders Liverpool by a significant 13-point margin, increasing frustration among fans.
Many supporters had hoped that Chelsea would bring in reinforcements during the winter transfer window, particularly in attack and defense. One of the primary concerns has been the performances of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who has been under scrutiny due to his numerous errors. In fact, he currently leads the league in mistakes that have directly resulted in goals, raising doubts about his reliability.
Meanwhile, striker Nicolas Jackson has been struggling in front of goal, failing to score in his last eight appearances. His lack of confidence has only added to Chelsea’s attacking woes, prompting discussions about whether the club should have secured another striker in January.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel addressed Jackson’s poor run of form, stressing the significance of a striker going through such a goal drought. “As a striker, going eight games without scoring is a huge problem,” he stated. However, Mikel was quick to point out that the responsibility for scoring goals should not fall solely on Jackson. He emphasized the need for other attacking players, such as Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, and Jadon Sancho, to contribute more in front of goal.
During Chelsea’s recent match against West Ham, Jackson was taken off in the 52nd minute and replaced by 18-year-old Marc Guiu. While Mikel acknowledged Guiu’s potential, he expressed concern that the young forward is not yet the type of striker Chelsea can rely on to deliver in crucial moments. “He’s a young player with potential, but he’s not the striker you bring in when you need goals to win games,” Mikel commented.
Beyond Jackson’s struggles, Mikel also pointed out the recent dip in form of Jadon Sancho. The former Manchester United winger had an encouraging start at Chelsea, showing flashes of brilliance by taking on defenders and creating chances. However, his performances have since declined, and he has struggled to make an impact in recent matches. “At first, he showed why he was a great signing—taking on defenders, creating chances—but now his performances have dropped significantly,” Mikel remarked.
The Nigerian football legend further criticized Chelsea’s failure to sign reinforcements during the winter transfer window, particularly in the goalkeeping and striker positions. He believes that addressing these areas could have significantly boosted the team’s chances of securing a top-four finish. “Now the window is shut, and we didn’t address the positions that could help us secure a top-four finish,” he lamented.
With Chelsea’s inconsistency becoming a growing concern, Mikel believes that urgent improvements are needed if the team hopes to qualify for next season’s Champions League. The lack of attacking efficiency, coupled with defensive frailties, has put the Blues in a difficult position, and without necessary reinforcements, their ambitions for the season could be at risk.
