“We want to win now!” Obi Mikel tasks Maresca on long-term project mentality

By Monsurah Olatunji

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has expressed skepticism about the club’s new manager, Enzo Maresca.

Mikel, who had a distinguished 11-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, is concerned about Maresca’s ability to restore Chelsea to its former glory.

Mikel, who joined Chelsea for £16 million and was one of the club’s highest-paid players during his career, won the Premier League, four FA Cups, a Champions League, and a UEFA Europa League with the club.

Despite his success at Chelsea, he now questions whether Maresca can lead the team back to its winning ways.

In a recent appearance on BeIN Sports, Mikel voiced his doubts about Maresca’s potential, citing the manager’s talk of a two or three-year project.

“Is he going to get that with these new owners?” Mikel asked. “We can’t have another bad season because the last three seasons have been really bad.”

He continued, “Maresca has got his hands full with this football club… I don’t see us having a good season. We don’t want to be a midtable club. Chelsea Football Club is a club that always competes to win the Premier League and be in the Champions League. That’s where we’ve always been, and we want to get back to that.”

Mikel also mentioned his recent conversation with Chelsea’s sporting director, who discussed long-term plans for the club. Mikel, however, remains focused on immediate success, stating, “There is no five or ten-year project; we want to win now.”