Chelsea icon John Obi Mikel has expressed optimism about his former club’s future but emphasized the need for further reinforcement if they are to truly challenge for the Premier League title again.
Speaking recently, the former Blues midfielder praised the progress under new manager Enzo Maresca, who guided the team to a fourth-place Premier League finish and a Europa Conference League triumph last season.
These accomplishments have reignited hope among fans following several years of underwhelming performances.
Despite the recent success and signs of a cultural reset at the club, Mikel believes Chelsea is still a few key signings away from becoming genuine title contenders. In his view, at least three additional players are essential — particularly an experienced centre-back, a dynamic midfielder, and a high-quality winger.
With Chelsea set to compete in the restructured Club World Cup in the United States this summer — a competition where they could reportedly earn as much as £100 million — Mikel argues that any winnings should be reinvested wisely to strengthen the team further.
A key area of concern for Mikel is the wing position, especially following Jadon Sancho’s return to Manchester United. He believes the Blues need a more reliable and creative winger who can consistently beat defenders and score goals.
While Noni Madueke had a relatively solid season — scoring 11 goals and contributing five assists — Mikel remains unconvinced about his consistency.
He noted that Madueke faced criticism from Maresca over his training attitude and was even left out of the squad on occasion. This has raised doubts about the young winger’s long-term role at the club.
Mikel acknowledged Madueke’s natural talent but stressed that the winger needs to step up both defensively and in terms of goal contribution. While he personally would prefer to keep Madueke and see him develop further, he understands if the club decides to replace him with a more established option.
He suggested that Maresca may already be considering a change, but as a fan, Mikel remains hopeful that the young player can fulfill his potential if given the right motivation.
In addition to player performance, Mikel commended the current squad’s mentality. He believes the Europa Conference League win has instilled a newfound sense of belief and a winning mindset that could revive Chelsea’s traditional culture of success.
According to him, this generation of players now knows what it feels like to win, which could be crucial in building momentum for bigger achievements.
With new signings like Liam Delap already arriving, Mikel is confident Chelsea are on the right path. However, he insists the club must remain ambitious, invest wisely, and keep pushing forward to reclaim their place at the top of English and European football.
