Mikel Obi, former Chelsea star and hero of the club’s 2012 UEFA Champions League triumph, has voiced strong criticism over Chelsea’s recent slump under manager Enzo Maresca. With Chelsea’s poor performance continuing after a 3-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, Obi believes that under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, Maresca would have already been shown the door.
As Chelsea falls to sixth place in the Premier League, the club’s dismal season has sparked growing frustrations among fans and former players, including Obi.
Chelsea’s Recruitment Under Fire
Obi also took aim at the club’s recent recruitment strategy, stating that Chelsea’s signings have not been up to par, contributing to the team’s struggles on the pitch. With only 12 wins from their first 25 league games, Chelsea’s dream of competing for the title has faded, and they now face the challenge of securing a top-four finish.
“Under Abramovich, Maresca Wouldn’t Have Lasted”
Speaking candidly on The ObiOne Podcast, Mikel expressed his frustration with the situation: “That would have been a crisis back in the day. The helicopter would have landed by now, and whoever was in charge would be gone. No two ways about it.”
Although Obi isn’t calling for Maresca’s immediate dismissal, he stressed that Chelsea needs better planning and swift action to reverse their decline.
Club Stands by Maresca
Despite mounting pressure, Chelsea’s board has backed Maresca for now, choosing to remain patient. With a chance to secure a top-four finish and continue their UEFA Conference League campaign, the manager’s future depends on improving results quickly to ease the growing concerns.
