Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has once again voiced his concerns about Nicolas Jackson, criticizing the Seengalese striker following Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. The Nigerian football legend, who played 372 times for the Blues, has made it clear that he is not convinced by Jackson’s abilities, particularly questioning the player’s effectiveness in front of goal.
Mikel’s latest critique of Jackson comes just weeks after the end of the previous season, where the former midfielder had already expressed his dissatisfaction with the 17 goals and 6 assists that Jackson managed to contribute.
Speaking on beIN Sports, Mikel did not hold back in his assessment of Jackson’s performance against Manchester City, a game in which Chelsea created several chances but failed to convert any.
“We played well, we didn’t play perfectly, but we played well.
We created chances, but we didn’t take advantage of them. And just an example of how Jackson finishes.
You can see, even if he was offside, he dribbles, he passes one, two, or three players, but the way he shot the ball,” Mikel remarked, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of killer instinct in the Senegalese forward.
This isn’t the first time Mikel has questioned Jackson’s capabilities.
Shortly after the conclusion of last season, Mikel commented on Jackson’s overall contribution to the team, stating, “He runs around and does what he has to do, but we need a goalscorer.”
His sentiments seem unchanged as he reiterated the need for Chelsea to secure a top-level striker who can consistently deliver in crucial moments.
“I know I talk about him so much and sometimes I seem to disrespect him.
I’m not disrespecting him. I think that at Chelsea, we need a top-level striker who can score us a goal.
A bit like Haaland, 91 goals with City, it’s absolutely incredible,” Mikel concluded, drawing a comparison with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, whose prolific scoring has set a high standard in the Premier League.
Mikel’s criticism underscores a broader concern among Chelsea supporters, who have witnessed the team’s struggles to find a reliable striker since the departure of key players in previous seasons.
While Jackson’s potential is evident, Mikel’s comments reflect the urgency for a proven goal scorer who can consistently find the back of the net, especially in high-stakes matches against top-tier opponents.
As Chelsea continues to rebuild under the guidance of new manager Enzo Maresca, the pressure to secure a striker who can make an immediate impact grows.
Whether Jackson can rise to the challenge or if the club will heed Mikel’s advice and seek reinforcements in the transfer market remains to be seen.
However, one thing is clear: Mikel’s concerns about the club’s attacking options are shared by many who hope to see Chelsea return to the top of English football.
Just WATCH @Mikel_John_Obi reacting to Nicolas Jackson’s attempts at striking a ball…
🤣🤣🤣#beINPL #CFC #MCFC pic.twitter.com/FOEr2A2Lwt
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 18, 2024
