FORMER Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi is sure Chelsea would still be challenging for the English Premier League title if they had Victor Osimhen leading their attack, rather than Nicolas Jackson.
Mikel, who spent over 10 years with the Blues, made this claim in his latest criticism of Chelsea’s Senegalese striker Jackson due to his failure to convert scoring chances.
The Blues were earlier in fine form, winning five consecutive games, but have secured just two points in their last four games, from two draws and two defeats.
They were breathing down Liverpool’s necks in the title race, but are currently fourth, four points behind Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, who are both six points adrift of the Reds.
One player who Mikel feels should take part of the blame for Chelsea’s recent poor form is Jackson.
The former Villarreal striker has failed to score in his last four games, having netted nine goals in 19 league games so far this season.
Mikel believes a move for either his former Nigeria international teammate Osimhen or Victor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon would have seen Chelsea competing for the league title.
“He (Jackson) is not scoring enough, he puts himself in the right positions and then isn’t finishing, he doesn’t score enough,” Mikel said on the Obi One Podcast on Monday.
“He’s not a striker who’s going to get us top 4 or win us titles, he’s not that striker, I don’t think he can get us over the line, he’s good on the ball and link up, but he’s not scoring enough.
“If we had Victor Osimhen or the guy from Sporting, Gyokeres, we’d still be competing for the league. Maresca needs to talk to Jackson and get his confidence back, he’s not scoring enough. Start scoring and tell me to shut up again!”
This is not the first time Jackson would be criticised by Mikel for his wastefulness in front of goal.
In August last year, Jackson reacted fiercely to criticism from Mikel.
Jackson told Mikel to shut up after the former Nigeria international suggested the Senegal striker squandered too many chances in the Blues’ 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
Osimhen, on loan to Galatasaray from Napoli, has been in superb form, registering 13 goals and four assists in 16 games in all competitions, while Gyokeres has netted 28 goals this term.
