In anticipation of Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League clash with Arsenal, former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has shared his combined XI lineup from both teams, making a key decision between Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz for the striker role.
Chelsea will host Arsenal on Sunday, providing an opportunity for both center-forwards to leave an impression.
Nicolas Jackson, at just 23, has garnered praise for his performances this season, with Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola highlighting the progress he’s made.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz, now with Arsenal, is well-remembered by Chelsea fans for his decisive goal in the Champions League final but is now committed to contributing to Arsenal’s success.
On his YouTube channel, Mikel explained his choice to go with Jackson over Havertz for the striker spot in his combined XI, emphasizing Jackson’s effective partnership with Cole Palmer.
Mikel stated, “On current form, if you’re playing Cole Palmer, the partnership that Nicolas Jackson has with Cole Palmer. I think Nicolas Jackson gets my vote.”
Here’s how John Obi Mikel’s combined XI for Chelsea-Arsenal looks:
– Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)
– Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), William Saliba (Arsenal), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
– Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
– Forwards: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Alongside Mikel’s support, Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has also spoken highly of Jackson, suggesting he has the potential to compete for the Ballon d’Or one day.
With Jackson only at the beginning of his career at 23, matches like these offer the perfect stage for him to continue developing and demonstrate his capabilities in critical encounters.
Analyzing Jackson’s and Havertz’s performances so far this season, Jackson appears to have a slight edge statistically.
He currently leads in goals, assists, and shots on target, indicating a more productive start.
However, former player Troy Deeney has noted that Jackson’s game could still use some refinement.
According to Deeney, there are several areas where Jackson might improve, making his evolution as a player something to watch closely in the coming matches.
Separately, Manchester United is facing internal changes, with one underperforming player seemingly on the way out.
New manager Ruben Amorim reportedly has plans to move this player out of the club by January.
This news comes on the heels of recent comments made by the player, which have now taken on an awkward tone in light of Amorim’s rumored intentions.
This decision aligns with Amorim’s expectations for a higher standard, suggesting that the player, who has struggled to meet the club’s requirements, will likely need to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
