“They’re not Chelsea standard” “Replace them please” – John Obi Mikel begs Enzo Maresca to these two Pochettino favorites players and replace them with these two ‘world class’ players
For Enzo Maresca, John Obi Mikel has pleaded with Chelsea to bring in two “world class” center backs this summer.
On a free transfer from Fulham, Tosin Adarabioyo, a 26-year-old defender, is expected to become Chelsea’s first acquisition under Maresca.
However, Obi Mikel maintains that neither Benoit Badiashile nor Axel Disasi are prepared to take over and that his previous team would feel Thiago Silva’s departure next season.
‘Thiago Silva is leaving, we need a couple of centre-halves,’ Mikel said on The Obi One Podcast.
‘I don’t think Benoit Badiashile is the guy for Chelsea, no.
‘[Axel] Disasi, no. They’re still young players, they will develop.
‘We need proven, two top centre-backs who will come in there and stabilise that back four. We need that. We need two world-class centre-halves.’
Mikel was also dismissive of Mykhailo Mudryk after the winger’s underwhelming first full season in the Premier League.
‘Nah, he needs to cut his hair, he needs to get rid of the tattoos and focus on playing for Chelsea,’ Mikel said.
Mikel, however, was more upbeat on Noni Madueke’s future under Maresca and believes Chelsea’s new manager needs to find a way to improve the performances of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
‘Fantastic player,’ Mikel said of Madueke.
‘I thought he was the spark at the end of the season, I know, yes, Cole Palmer was the guy, but Madueke finished the season really well.
‘Chipped in with a few goals, created chances, was the spark, everything went through him, he was the spark we needed, he was that guy who was trying to do something on the pitch.
‘I would like to see Raheem Sterling next season have a much better season.
‘If we’re successful next season, Enzo needs to find a way to get Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo to bring the best out of these two players because, for me, they are world-class players, they are fantastic players.
‘We have [Romeo] Lavia as well, that is the three, if you find a way, young, energetic players, find a way to get the best out of them just the way Poch got the best out of Cole Palmer.
‘If he can be able to get these guys to perform I’m telling you Chelsea will be a different team next season.’