John Obi Mikel Slams Nicolas Jackson's Form: "He's Not Scoring Enough to Win Titles"

Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has expressed doubts about Nicolas Jackson’s ability to lead the Blues back to the top of English football. Mikel, who enjoyed a glittering 11-year career at Stamford Bridge, believes the lack of firepower up front is the key reason Chelsea are falling short in their trophy pursuits.

Speaking on his "Obi One Podcast," the two-time Premier League winner didn’t hold back in his assessment of Jackson’s struggles this season.

"He’s not scoring enough goals," Mikel said. "He puts himself in the right positions but doesn’t finish. One goal in six is not good enough. He’s not the striker that will get us to the top four or win us the Premier League title. For me, it’s worrying because we’re not clinical enough. We need someone like Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyökeres—players who can deliver week in and week out."

Chelsea’s Striker Woes Continue

Chelsea's struggles to replace iconic forwards like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa have been well-documented. Drogba, the legendary talisman, was central to Chelsea’s success for nearly a decade, while Costa’s fiery spell brought goals and a Premier League title before his abrupt departure.

Mikel sees a gulf between those golden years and the current state of Chelsea’s attack. While Jackson, who has netted 26 times in 64 appearances for the club, shows promise, Mikel insists that promise isn’t translating into enough goals to bring silverware back to Stamford Bridge.

"Look at Alexander Isak at Newcastle—he’s flying. That’s what we need. A top striker makes all the difference, and right now, we don’t have one."

A Once-Dominant Force Now Struggling

Mikel played a pivotal role during Chelsea's most successful era, winning 11 trophies, including two Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League. However, the Blues haven’t come close to replicating that dominance in recent years, with their last league title coming in 2017.

Under new management and with a host of young talent, Chelsea looked poised to challenge this season. But inconsistency and wasted opportunities in front of goal have left them on the fringes of the title race.

Has Mikel Gone Too Far?

Critics may question whether Mikel’s comments are too harsh on a player still finding his feet in a competitive league. Others might argue his words reflect the frustration of fans who have seen Chelsea's attacking struggles stretch across several seasons.

For now, the jury is out on Jackson. But if the Blues want to get back to lifting trophies, they’ll need to address their long-standing striker dilemma.