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John Obi Mikel has urged Chelsea to sign two ‘world class’ centre-backs for Enzo Maresca this summer.
Chelsea are set to make Tosin Adarabioyo the first signing of Maresca’s reign with the 26-year-old defender joining from Fulham on a free transfer.
But Obi Mikel believes his former club will feel the departure of Thiago Silva next season and insists neither Benoit Badiashile or Axel Disasi are ready to step up.
‘Thiago Silva is leaving, we need a couple of centre-halves,’ Mikel said on The Obi One Podcast.
‘I don’t think Benoit Badiashile is the guy for Chelsea, no.
‘[Axel] Disasi, no. They’re still young players, they will develop.
‘We need proven, two top centre-backs who will come in there and stabilise that back four. We need that. We need two world-class centre-halves.’
Mikel was also dismissive of Mykhailo Mudryk after the winger’s underwhelming first full season in the Premier League.
‘Nah, he needs to cut his hair, he needs to get rid of the tattoos and focus on playing for Chelsea,’ Mikel said.
Mikel, however, was more upbeat on Noni Madueke’s future under Maresca and believes Chelsea’s new manager needs to find a way to improve the performances of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
‘Fantastic player,’ Mikel said of Madueke.
‘I thought he was the spark at the end of the season, I know, yes, Cole Palmer was the guy, but Madueke finished the season really well.
‘Chipped in with a few goals, created chances, was the spark, everything went through him, he was the spark we needed, he was that guy who was trying to do something on the pitch.
‘I would like to see Raheem Sterling next season have a much better season.
‘If we’re successful next season, Enzo needs to find a way to get Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo to bring the best out of these two players because, for me, they are world-class players, they are fantastic players.
‘We have [Romeo] Lavia as well, that is the three, if you find a way, young, energetic players, find a way to get the best out of them just the way Poch got the best out of Cole Palmer.
‘If he can be able to get these guys to perform I’m telling you Chelsea will be a different team next season.’
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