Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi has recently criticized Enzo Fernández, urging the Argentine World Cup winner to deliver improved performances for Chelsea in the upcoming 2024/25 season. Mikel’s comments were made during a recent episode of his podcast, “Obi One.”
Fernández joined Chelsea in the winter transfer window of 2023 for a then-British record fee of £106.3 million. However, the 23-year-old midfielder has only shown flashes of the brilliance that justified his hefty price tag. This has led to frustration for many, including Mikel, who now demands that Fernández step up his game.
Previewing Chelsea’s season on his podcast, Mikel shared his thoughts on Fernández’s performance. He stated that the team functioned more efficiently when Fernández was not in the lineup last season.
According to Mikel, former manager Mauricio Pochettino found better balance with Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher in midfield.
“When Conor Gallagher played with Moises Caicedo towards the end of last season, the team played better without Enzo Fernández,” Mikel said. “Enzo needs a big season; we can’t keep making excuses for him.”
Mikel believes that Fernández has had enough time to settle in and must now show his true quality on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Mikel has been lauded by Nigerian fans for his efforts to convince his former club, Chelsea, to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli. This potential transfer has generated significant interest, and Mikel’s influence and advocacy have been widely praised.
