Chelsea hero reignites Nicolas Jackson feud and names two better strikers who could save title bid

Yesterday at 12:05 PM

John Obi Mikel has again taken aim at Nicolas Jackson, and claimed he is holding Chelsea back from winning titles.

The Blues striker has enjoyed an improved second season at Stamford Bridge, with nine Premier League goals to his name so far, but has faltered in recent weeks, netting just once in his last six games.

Jackson‘s recent loss of form has coincided with Chelsea losing ground in the title race, who now sit 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool and are without a win in four matches.

And Mikel, who made over 350 appearances at Stamford Bridge, believes a key reason for his old club’s struggles is the Senegal front man’s lack of efficiency in front of goal.

Chelsea came close to signing prolific goalscorer Victor Osimhen over the summer, before he opted to join Galatasary on loan from Napoli.

With the Blues managing just two goals in their last four outings, the former Nigeria international has now urged his old employers to sign another striker in order to keep pace with their rivals.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel said: "We are creating chances, we are still playing well, we are still doing the right things. But we're not clinical enough, we're not scoring goals.

"We've talked about getting another top, top striker who can win us these kind of games, difficult games where if Nicolas Jackson is not firing on all cylinders, you can give him a rest and then get someone else to come into the team and try to win us games and score goals.

'We're just not clinical enough, he is not scoring enough goals. He puts himself in the right positions but then he's not finishing, he's not scoring enough."

Mikel then claimed that Jackson does not possess the required qualities to help his team challenge for trophies.

He continued: “He's not a striker who's going to get us to the top four or win us the Premier League title. He's not that striker.

"I think he can get us to the top four, but I don't think he can get us over the line in terms of winning trophies. 

The 37-year-old then highlighted Osimhen, and Sporting Lisbon goal machine Viktor Gyokeres as the attacking options he feel would take Chelsea to the next level.

He went on: "If we had Victor Osimhen or the guy from Sporting, Viktor Gyokeres, trust me, we'd still be competing for the Premier League.

And while Jackson is on course to better last season’s total of 14 league goals, Mikel continued to rue his inconsistency on front of goal, and claimed Chelsea have instead relied on Cole Palmer.

The Englishman has found the net on 13 occasions in the Premier League, and provided a further six assists.

He said: “Nicolas is not scoring enough, the finishing, he needs to find a way. For me it's a bit of a worry because we're not scoring enough.

“Without Cole Palmer I don't know where we would've been this season, definitely not where we are right now, he's carrying the team on his shoulders, he's creating chances, scoring goals, what more can he do?

“One goal in six [from Jackson] is not good enough. You talk about top, top strikers, look at [Alexander] Isak at Newcastle, he's flying, that's what we need.”

And this isn’t the first time Mikel has questioned Jackson’s value.

Back in August, the former Blues midfielder criticised the 23-year-old’s performance in a 2-0 opening day defeat to Manchester City.

This prompted Jackson to respond angrily a week later after he scored in his side’s 6-2 victory over Wolves, as he fired back at Mikel on Instagram, writing: “Shut your mouth, don't talk s***.”