‘Can he do it at a big club like Chelsea?’ — Mikel unwilling to back Delap after Chelsea’s Osimhen snub

John Obi Mikel is not fully sold on Chelsea’s decision to go for youth over experience up front, especially with the club passing on the chance to sign Victor Osimhen.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, the former Chelsea midfielder shared cautious optimism about the signing of Liam Delap, but also made it clear he is not entirely convinced.

While Mikel praised Delap as a hardworking striker, he did not shy away from asking some hard questions.

“Is he a proven goalscorer in the Premier League? Can he do it at a big club like Chelsea? That’s the question,” Mikel queried in a recent interview.

Delap, fresh off a challenging season with Ipswich Town that ended in relegation, has now landed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel acknowledged the potential for healthy competition with Nicolas Jackson, noting how vital it is to have more than one striker at a top club like Chelsea.

However, there still lies an unmistakable tone of doubt, as Mikel is clearly waiting to see if Delap can rise to the pressure and pedigree that comes with the Chelsea badge.

Some have suggested that what truly fuels Mikel’s unease, though, is Chelsea’s continued reluctance to chase Victor Osimhen, a player he has publicly endorsed as the perfect fit for the Blues.

Mikel lamented that the fans, like him, wanted a proven goalscorer like Osimhen, who has done it in Italy with Napoli and in Turkey with Galatasaray.

Osimhen’s price tag and wage demands may have scared off the Chelsea hierarchy, who are focused on younger, more affordable options, but Mikel’s comments still suggest that while Delap might be the future, Osimhen was the sure thing for the present.