Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel didn't mince words after the Blues' 2-0 loss to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. The defeat, which marked a rough start for new manager Enzo Maresca, brought Chelsea's goal-scoring struggles into sharp focus. Mikel, now a commentator for beIN Sports, took aim at striker Nicolas Jackson's performance, echoing growing concerns among fans about the team's attacking prowess.
Manchester City dominates as Chelsea falters
Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Manchester City in the 18th minute, setting the tone for a frustrating evening for the home side. Chelsea created several chances but failed to convert, with Jackson at the centre of their offensive woes. The striker thought he had equalised before halftime, only to see his goal disallowed for offside. Later, he hesitated on the ball when presented with another opportunity, much to the dismay of the Stamford Bridge crowd. Although an offside call ultimately spared his blushes, the incident highlighted Chelsea's ongoing issues in front of goal.
John Obi Mikel did not like what he saw from Jackson
Speaking after the match, Mikel didn't hold back in his assessment of Jackson's performance. While acknowledging that Chelsea played decently overall, the former midfielder zeroed in on the team's inability to finish their chances. Mikel stated,
"Even though he was offside, he dribbled one or two players, and the way he shot the ball. You need a striker who knows how to hit the ball in the back of the net and that is what we don't have. We need a top striker."
His comments reflect a growing frustration among Chelsea supporters, who are yearning for a reliable goal scorer like Victor Osimhen.
Jackson's Chelsea stint has been a mixed bag
Nicolas Jackson's journey at Chelsea has been far from smooth since his £32 million move from Villarreal last summer. In his debut Premier League season, he managed to score 14 goals but also missed 24 big chances, ranking third in the league for squandered opportunities. His early days at the club were particularly challenging, with the striker accumulating more yellow cards than goals, drawing criticism from fans.
Despite finishing the season on a stronger note, scoring seven goals in Chelsea's final 13 games, Jackson's overall performance has left much to be desired.
As the team prepares for their upcoming UEFA Conference League playoff against Swiss side Servette, all eyes will be on Jackson to see if he can improve his finishing and silence his critics.
Chelsea's search for a solution
The Blues' striking problems have not gone unnoticed by the club's hierarchy. Chelsea has been linked with Napoli's Victor Osimhen as a potential solution to their goal-scoring woes.
However, negotiations appear to have hit a snag, with Napoli's director recently describing the transfer as "blocked". This setback may force Chelsea to explore other options in the transfer market to bolster their attacking lineup.
The pressure on Chelsea to find a reliable striker will only intensify. The defeat to Manchester City has thrown their offensive shortcomings into sharp relief, and fans are clamouring for a solution. Whether that solution comes in the form of Jackson finding his form, a new signing, or a tactical shift remains to be seen.
Chelsea must regroup and focus on their upcoming fixtures. The UEFA Conference League playoff against Servette presents an opportunity for Jackson to prove his worth and for the team to regain some confidence. However, if their goal-scoring struggles persist, the calls for reinforcements in the striking department will only grow louder.