John Obi Mikel to Nicolas Jackson: ‘Prove me wrong by scoring regularly’

By Monsurah Olatunji 

The exchange between Mikel Obi and Nicolas Jackson continues to generate buzz, as the former Chelsea midfielder has addressed Jackson’s recent rebuttal on his podcast.

As previously reported by NigeriaFootball, Jackson took to social media to challenge Mikel Obi’s critique following his standout performance in Chelsea’s 6-2 victory over Wolves.

The Senegalese striker, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for £32 million, responded to Mikel’s earlier criticism, which came after a lackluster performance against Manchester City in Chelsea’s opening match of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Jackson, despite showing occasional brilliance, has faced criticism due to inconsistent performances. Mikel Obi, a 2013 AFCON winner, had suggested that Jackson’s finishing skills needed improvement and that Chelsea might benefit from signing a more experienced striker to support him.

On his ObiOne Podcast, Mikel Obi addressed Jackson’s response with a mix of encouragement and critique. He clarified his stance, emphasizing that his comments were not intended to disparage Jackson but to highlight areas for growth.

“I genuinely like Nicolas Jackson as a player,” Mikel said. “There’s potential there, but I’ve pointed out that his finishing qualities need development. My comments were meant to push him to improve. He’s young and has a lot to learn, and I believe that bringing in an experienced striker could help him grow.”

Mikel also acknowledged Jackson’s efforts and expressed a desire to see him succeed. “We all see the hard work he puts in week in and week out. I want him to do well at Chelsea, a club with a rich history of great African strikers like Didier Drogba.”

Mikel concluded with a challenge: “If he scores consistently and proves me wrong, I’ll gladly stop commenting. I’m rooting for him, and I hope he uses this feedback constructively to elevate his game.”

This exchange underscores the ongoing dialogue between former players and current stars, reflecting both the high expectations and the supportive mentorship that come with playing at top clubs.