Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi recently responded to Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson’s sharp comments on social media after Chelsea’s 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Jackson, who scored Chelsea’s fastest goal in seven years during the match, took the moment as an opportunity to address Obi’s earlier criticism of his finishing abilities.
Mikel Obi had been vocal about Jackson’s struggles in front of goal, particularly during Chelsea’s season opener against Manchester City. As an analyst on beIN Sports, Obi pointed out a specific missed chance where Jackson skillfully maneuvered through multiple defenders but ended with a weak shot. Obi stressed that Jackson lacked the finishing quality expected at a club like Chelsea.
After Chelsea’s recent win, Jackson tagged Obi on social media, stating, “‘@Mikel_john_obi shut your mouth. Don’t talk s***, we are killing ourselves for Africa.”
In response, Obi addressed the situation on his podcast, The Obi One, clarifying that his critiques were never meant as personal attacks. “I really like the guy as a football player. I like him. There’s something there as a football player,” Obi said. He acknowledged Jackson’s potential but emphasized the need for improvement in his finishing. Obi noted, “He’s a young boy, and all I’ve said is that he needs a more experienced striker to come into the football club to help him.”
Mikel continued to express his hope for Jackson’s success, especially given Chelsea’s history with great African strikers like Didier Drogba. He encouraged Jackson to rise to the challenge, saying he would gladly “shut up” if Jackson consistently started scoring goals.
Obi, known for his frank assessments, reiterated that Chelsea needs a top striker who can regularly find the back of the net. He praised Manchester City’s Erling Haaland as an example of the kind of clinical finisher Chelsea should aspire to have.
Since joining Chelsea in 2023, Jackson has scored 18 goals in 46 games. His recent performances indicate improvement, but for Mikel Obi, consistent finishing remains the key to earning his full praise.
