Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has criticized the club for missing the opportunity to strengthen two crucial positions during the January transfer window.
Chelsea, under the leadership of their new head coach Enzo Maresca, began the season on a strong note, suffering just two league defeats before Christmas. However, their form has since taken a downturn, with only three victories in their last nine matches across all competitions. This slump has left them sitting fourth in the Premier League table, now trailing league leaders Liverpool by a significant 13-point margin.
The team’s recent struggles have led to growing frustration among Chelsea supporters, many of whom had been calling for reinforcements in both the attacking and defensive areas during the winter transfer window. One of the biggest concerns revolves around goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, whose performances have been widely scrutinized. Sanchez currently leads the league in errors that have directly resulted in goals, raising questions about his reliability between the posts. Additionally, Chelsea’s striking options have also been underwhelming, with forward Nicolas Jackson enduring a difficult spell in front of goal. The Senegalese striker has now gone eight consecutive matches without scoring, further adding to the team’s offensive woes.
Speaking on *The Obi One Podcast*, Mikel openly discussed Jackson’s struggles and the impact it has had on Chelsea’s attack. “For a striker, failing to score in eight straight games is a major issue,” Mikel stated. However, he emphasized that Chelsea’s goal-scoring problems should not be placed solely on Jackson’s shoulders. “We need goals from players like [Noni] Madueke, Pedro Neto, and [Jadon] Sancho. It can’t all be down to Jackson,” he added.
Chelsea’s recent fixture against West Ham further highlighted their problems in attack. Jackson was taken off in the 52nd minute, with 18-year-old Marc Guiu introduced in his place. While Mikel acknowledged Guiu’s potential, he argued that the young forward is not yet ready to take on the responsibility of being Chelsea’s primary goal-scoring threat in crucial moments. “Guiu is a talented young player, but he’s not the striker you rely on when you desperately need goals to win games,” Mikel remarked.
Beyond the team’s striking concerns, Mikel also expressed disappointment in Chelsea’s failure to sign both a new goalkeeper and an additional forward during the January transfer window. “The window is closed now, and we haven’t strengthened the key areas that could have helped us secure a top-four finish,” he lamented.
Additionally, Mikel pointed out another worrying dip in form, this time from Jadon Sancho. The former Manchester United winger initially impressed after arriving at Chelsea, showcasing his ability to take on defenders and create scoring opportunities. However, his performances have since declined, leading Mikel to question his recent impact on the team. “At first, Sancho looked like a great signing—he was confident, creating chances—but now his performances have dropped off significantly,” he noted.
With Chelsea’s inconsistency becoming a growing concern, Mikel believes the team needs immediate improvements if they are to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
