Obi Mikel - Nicolas Jackson should return home
For a long time very critical of Nicolas Jackson, the former legend of the Blues, John Obi Mikel, has radically changed his stance. While Chelsea is sinking into a crisis of results, the Nigerian now calls for the return of a player he once considered insufficient.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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For Premier League observers, the drama between John Obi Mikel and Nicolas Jackson seemed sealed by animosity, the former Nigerian international being very critical of the lack of offensive realism of the Senegalese in front of goals. But in the face of the offensive slump that Chelsea is going through this season, the former midfielder has laid down his arms. In his recent podcast, Mikel admitted a truth that few would have imagined a few months ago: "We feel the lack of Nicolas Jackson."
From criticism to regret
Not long ago, the former Nigerian international was nevertheless ruthless towards the young Senegalese. Frustrated by the shortcomings in the finishing of the former Villarreal player, Mikel did not hesitate to criticize his level of play on the TV sets:
«We need a striker who knows how to put the ball in the net. Jackson does a lot of things, but he’s not the finisher that Chelsea needs to win titles." "At Chelsea, we don’t wait for you. You have to score goals, right away. Jackson is missing too many obvious chances for a club of this standard.”
Today, the tone has changed. Jackson’s absence, on loan to FC Bayern Munich during the last summer transfer window, seems to have opened the eyes of his detractors. Mikel now emphasizes the player’s irreplaceable tactical aspect: "What he brought to us, no other attacker brought it to us. Its mobility, its ability to stretch the defenses and create spaces brought a different dimension.”
A frustrating but productive Bavarian experience
Ironically, the German adventure of Nicolas Jackson is not a long calm river. Blocked by fierce competition, and notably the indestructible Harry Kane, the Senegalese international has to be content with crumbs.
Despite a reduced playing time, his statistics plead in his favor. In 27 appearances (for only 11 starts), he has a very honorable record of 9 goals and 4 assists. An efficiency that only accentuates the regrets on the side of Stamford Bridge, where the offensive animation seems at half-mast.
Chelsea at a standstill, a dotted future
Mikel’s about-turn comes at a time when Chelsea is going through one of the most difficult periods in its recent history. Despite massive investments, the London club is struggling to find a game identity and gets stuck in the middle of the rankings. The absence of a profile capable of weighing on the defenses, as Jackson did, is cruelly felt.
However, there is no guarantee that the reunion will take place. If his return to London is expected at the end of the season, the future of the striker remains unclear, especially since his representatives had suggested that there was no question of returning to Chelsea after the loan. After facing many critics, the trend is to find a new base that could this time guarantee him some playing time. But will it still be necessary that if suitors come, the Blues agree to sell a player who represents a significant asset.