Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has issued a riposte to Nicolas Jackson after the Blues forward told him to “shut your mouth.”
The war of words between the pair started after the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner criticised Jackson’s profligacy in front of goal. In the aftermath of Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on the opening weekend of the Premier League, the Nigerian said the Blues needed a “top striker.”
Mikel Obi’s comments did not go down well with Jackson, who seized his opportunity to hit back after helping Chelsea humiliate Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
In what was a foul-mouthed post on Instagram, Jackson called out the former Nigeria captain.
Mikel Obi meant no disrespect Chelsea striker
Jackson’s strong reply has divided opinions and Mikel has now responded by stating that he never meant to disrespect the former Villarreal forward.
Mikel Obi said he likes the 23-year-old, but stood by his opinion that the striker wasn’t clinical enough to lead the Blues.
“I really like the guy. There’s something there as a football player. I haven’t said he’s a bad player at all. I’ve just said that his finishing qualities are not there yet,” Mikel Obi said on The Obi One Podcast.
“All I’ve said is that he needs a more experienced striker to come into the football club to help him improve.
“We all can see the shift he puts in week in, week out. So for me, I’d like to see my African brother, like he said, do well in the Premier League. I’d like to see him do well as well at the club.
“If he plays well, I will praise him. If there’s something to say about him where he needs to improve, I will definitely say it. If he scores every week and tells me to shut up, I will take it.”
