John Obi Mikel warns Enzo Maresca that Chelsea must replace two players before they can win the Premier League

01/27/2025 10:45 AM

Chelsea’s title bid for this season has been derailed following a run of just one win in their last seven Premier League matches.

The Blues’ latest defeat came against Manchester City as the Premier League champions came from behind at the Etihad to win 3-1.

Enzo Maresca’s side now find themselves 13 points off the top and have fallen into seventh place with Bournemouth leapfrogging them.

John Obi Mikel has now warned the West London club that they must make upgrades if they want to become a title-winning team.

John Obi Mikel tells Chelsea to upgrade Robert Sanchez and Nicolas Jackson

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has urged them to upgrade Robert Sanchez and Nicolas Jackson if they want to win the Premier League.

Sanchez made a big error against City which allowed Erling Haaland to lob him for 2-1 and the club’s supporters are growing tired of his mishaps.

Obi Mikel told The Obi One Podcast: “He’s not a top, top keeper. (We need) players who are good enough to win the league and put us in the top four, he is not that goalkeeper.”

Meanwhile, Jackson has now gone seven games without a goal and Obi Mikel claims he is another player the Blues must improve on.

“Nicolas (Jackson) is not that striker that will win us the league. Top four, maybe, but not to put us where we belong and for me, he showed that again Sanchez with that mistake (versus Man City).

“We need to get another top striker and a goalkeeper and again Sanchez has shown it that goalkeeper to win us the league.”

Robert Sanchez sets unwanted record this season for Chelsea

Sanchez has now committed the joint-most errors leading to a goal in the Premier League this season.

The Spanish international is now level with Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric with five errors leading to a goal.

Maresca claims he will consider dropping Sanchez for the team's next match and will assess his reaction across the week.