Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has criticized Chelsea hierarchy’s decision to sack Enzo Maresca despite clear signs of progress at the club, labelling it as ‘ridiculous’.
The Italian was dismissed on New Year’s Day after a poor run of results and a public criticism of the ownership of the London club.
Maresca won the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in his first season in charge of the Blues, while also creating a clear pattern of play.
He has since been replaced by former Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior, who has guided the club to some impressive results.
However, Chelsea have now dropped points in their last two league matches – a 2-2 draw against Leeds United when they surrendered a two-goal lead and a 1-1 draw against Burnley last Saturday.
Questions have been asked over the credentials of the English coach after the disappointing draws, with Mikel Obi joining the list of critics during an episode on his Obi One Podcast.
“We had Enzo Maresca. I’ve said it, I think it was a massive mistake to sack him. I mean, it’s ridiculous”, Mikel Obi revealed.
“Yeah, a manager that won us the Club World Cup, won us the Conference League, we had some sort of identity the way we played. We took a step forward, and we’ve gone five steps backwards. Liam has come in, and he’s won games, but there is absolutely something that is missing. Something is not quite right.”
Chelsea remain in fifth place on the standings, level on points with champions Liverpool in sixth and three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
The Blues face a tough test in their next league match against leaders Arsenal, who remain the only team to have beaten the club under Rosenior, hoping for a win to boost their top four hopes.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
