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Mikel Obi has offered a brutal assessment of Chelsea's struggles under Enzo Maresca.
Super Eagles and Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi has not held back in his criticism of Chelsea’s struggles this season, questioning the club’s direction under manager Enzo Maresca.
Once considered title contenders, Chelsea have now found themselves slipping out of the top four race, with just two wins in their last 10 league games.
Their most recent embarrassment came in a 3-0 defeat to Brighton, leaving fans furious and raising concerns about the club’s ambitions.
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Mikel, who won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the Champions League during his 11-year stint at Stamford Bridge, shared his brutally honest thoughts on the situation during an episode of the Obi One Podcast.
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"That would have been crisis back in our days. The helicopter surely would have landed by now and whoever is in charge would have been gone. There’s no two ways about it," Mikel said, referring to the swift managerial changes under former owner Roman Abramovich.
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However, the 37-year-old former midlfielder noted that he was not suggesting the Spaniard should be sacked from his role as head coach.
"I’m not calling for the sack of Enzo Maresca, my issue is… what’s going on is not right."
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19:55 - 17.02.2025
‘What is going on is not right’ – Mikel Obi weighs in on Enzo Maresca’s reign at Chelsea
Former Super Eagles and Blues midfielder Mikel Obi has passed his verdict regarding the current situation at Chelsea and pinpointed areas that need changes.
Maresca under pressure as Chelsea’s form crumbles
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Despite a promising start under Maresca, Chelsea have dropped from second place to sixth, now 17 points behind league leaders Liverpool.
The club’s form has sparked speculation about Maresca’s future, especially given Chelsea’s history of quick managerial changes, with Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter both dismissed after short stints.
However, reports from The Athletic suggest that Todd Boehly and the Chelsea hierarchy remain patient, as Champions League qualification was never an expectation for this season.
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Maresca has also faced significant injury setbacks, with Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto, and Mykhailo Mudryk all unavailable.
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This has led to some sympathy for the Italian coach, but frustrations remain high.
To make matters worse, Jadon Sancho, who started the season brightly, has only managed three goal contributions in his last 14 league games.
Meanwhile, Jackson has been linked with an exit to Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Atlético Madrid, despite his contract running until 2033.
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