2 months ago
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Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has expressed his delight at the club’s recent 3-0 victory over West Ham, praising the team’s performance and singling out key players for their contributions.
Mikel, who had previously been critical of striker Nicolas Jackson, was quick to acknowledge the forward’s impressive performance.
“Nicolas Jackson wants the best for Chelsea Football Club,” Mikel stated in his latest episode of the Obi One Podcast, released on Monday via YouTube.
He added, “There is an absolutely fantastic player there, and it’s amazing to see that he’s taking on board what I’m saying to improve.”
The Chelsea legend was particularly impressed with Jackson’s finishing, stating, “The way he scored the two goals is absolutely fantastic.”
Mikel noted that his earlier criticism was meant to help the player improve, saying, “We’re not here to put anyone down or criticise the players.”
Mikel also praised the overall team performance, highlighting the impact of midfielder Moisés Caicedo.
“Moisés Caicedo’s best game in a Chelsea shirt,” he declared, describing Caicedo as being “everywhere” on the pitch.
He compared Caicedo’s performance to that of former Chelsea star N’Golo Kanté, stating, “It was a bit like a Kante kind of performance.”
The former Nigeria international expressed optimism about Chelsea’s future under manager Enzo Maresca.
“Everything—the system, the way he wants the team to play, his philosophy—is now coming together,” Mikel said.
He also praised the squad’s depth, adding, “Players coming off the bench are not causing the team’s performance to drop; instead, they are improving it.”
Mikel further expressed his enjoyment of Chelsea’s current style of play, saying, “It’s so refreshing, as a Chelsea fan, to sit down and watch us play.”
On Saturday, Jackson fired Chelsea to a 3-0 win against West Ham, as the Senegalese striker repaid his manager’s faith with a decisive double at the London Stadium.
Jackson struck twice in the first half, before Cole Palmer wrapped up Chelsea’s third win in five Premier League games under new boss Enzo Maresca.
It was a well-timed brace from Jackson, who was chosen as Chelsea’s first-choice striker by Maresca on Friday, despite Christopher Nkunku’s match-winning impact against Bournemouth the previous weekend.
Although Jackson signed a contract extension earlier in September, keeping the Senegal star at Stamford Bridge until 2033, there were calls for Nkunku to start after the French forward came off the bench to score in the 1-0 win against Bournemouth.
