Former Chelsea star John Mikel Obi criticizes Nicolas Jackson after Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, citing his poor finishing as a key factor in the loss. Mikel's comments have sparked debate among fans about Chelsea's striking options and their impact on the team's performance this season.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has publicly criticized Nicolas Jackson for his underwhelming performance in Chelsea's recent 2-0 defeat to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Jackson, who struggled to capitalize on opportunities, was particularly disappointing in front of goal, leading to Chelsea's inability to score despite several chances. The match saw goals from Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic, sealing the victory for the reigning champions.
Mikel, speaking to beIN Sports, expressed his frustration with Jackson's performance, highlighting the need for a more clinical striker at Chelsea. He remarked, "You need to have a striker who knows how to hit a ball in the back of the net, and that’s what we don’t have."
Jackson was substituted in the 67th minute, replaced by 18-year-old Marc Guiu, which only fueled the debate among fans and pundits regarding Chelsea's current striking options.
The reaction to Mikel's comments has been mixed. Some fans on social media echoed his sentiments, with one user stating, "Jackson na mumu...very annoying." Another pointed out Jackson's lack of positioning and off-the-ball runs as critical flaws. However, others suggested that Mikel's comments were part of a larger agenda to bring Victor Osimhen, a highly regarded striker, to Chelsea.
The loss adds pressure on Chelsea to address their attacking shortcomings as they aim to compete at the top level in the Premier League this season.
