'It's unfortunate' - Nigerian legend Mikel Obi slams Nicolas Jackson for running away from Chelsea

Chelsea legend Mikel Obi has again called out former Stamford Bridge striker Nicolas Jackson, insisting the Senegalese forward should have shown more fight and mentality to succeed at the club.

In the latest episode of his popular podcast, Mikel addressed Chelsea’s recent transfer activity, focusing on Jackson’s departure from England to Germany in the summer.

The Nigerian midfielder, who has been vocal with his assessment of Jackson during his time at Chelsea, addressed th Blues’ summer transfers but expressed regret that the striker chose not to stay and compete for his place.

Mikel said, “It shows that they know exactly what I've been talking about. And of course, everything we said was not to get rid of somebody. It’s to bring in competition.” 

“Competition is always very important. And we can see that now the way we’re playing, we have players that can score goals, create chances. If you’re not doing it, somebody else comes in and gets us goals.”

The former Premier League star praised Chelsea’s new strikers Joao Pedro and Liam Dalap, describing their impact as “absolutely fantastic” and “brilliant” respectively. 

However, he lamented Jackson’s failure to stay and fight for his spot, pointing out that a player who wants to establish themselves at a top club must show resilience and determination.

“It's unfortunate that Nicolas Jackson didn’t stay to fight for this position because as a player you want to fight. You want to prove yourself. I don't want to run away. I want to be here and fight for my place,” Mikel added.

Reflecting on Jackson’s move to Bayern Munich, Mikel acknowledged the striker now faces intense competition with world-class talents like Harry Kane, emphasising that Jackson must prove himself once again in a new environment.

Mikel’s comments shows the high standards expected at Chelsea and send a clear message that success at a top club demands both skill and mental toughness, qualities he felt Jackson lacked during his time at Stamford Bridge.