John Obi Mikel has addressed the backlash from Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson following his recent criticism of Jackson’s finishing abilities. The former Chelsea midfielder had voiced concerns about Jackson’s performance during the Blues’ 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
In a segment on beIN Sports, Mikel, who enjoyed a successful stint at Chelsea from 2006 to 2017, commented, “We’ve played OK, but not perfectly. We created chances but failed to capitalize, and Jackson’s finishing is a prime example.”
In response, Jackson, who scored in Chelsea’s 6-2 victory over Wolves on Sunday, took to Instagram to tell Mikel to “shut your mouth.”
Mikel has since clarified his stance on Jackson’s performance. Speaking on The Obi One podcast, he expressed his admiration for Jackson as a player but emphasized areas for improvement.
“I really like him as a football player. There’s potential there,” Mikel said. “I haven’t said he’s a bad player at all. My critique was about his finishing qualities, which I believe need more refinement. He’s young, and my suggestion was for him to benefit from having a more experienced striker at the club to help him develop.”
Mikel also highlighted his support for Jackson’s success, noting, “I would love to see my African brother excel in the Premier League and at Chelsea, a club with a rich history of African talent like Didier Drogba.”
He added, “If Jackson scores consistently and proves me wrong, I’ll gladly accept that. My goal is to see him succeed and improve.”
Mikel’s comments underscore his desire for constructive feedback and support for Jackson’s growth within the club.
