Mikel names Newcastle star as best striker in PL, shares update on Chelsea's pursuit of Osimhen

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has praised manager Enzo Maresca's impact on the club while also giving his thoughts on the team's transfer strategy and the pursuit of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Mikel hailed the progress and impact of Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.  

"It is going well. I think I like Maresca. I have said it before, I think he's a great manager. I think he's a manager that improved the squad from where he took over."

He acknowledged the team's growing identity and playing style, emphasizing that securing a top-four finish this season would be the key measure of Maresca’s success.

“I think the way the team play now, you can see there is a bit of an identity, the way we want to play, the way the Chelsea fans wants the team to play but I think  finishing the top four is where everybody is going to judge him at the moment."

Looking ahead, he believes Chelsea could challenge for the Premier League title next season if they finish in the top four this year and make key signings.

"Because I think we need to finish in the top four. I think this is season is his first season and he needs a bit of time. After this season, if we finish in the top four, i think next season we can start competing for the league."

When discussing Chelsea’s long-term contracts for players, he highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the approach:

"I think it is good in a way and not in another way. You look at a player that I have got eight or nine years contract. Is that going to motivate me. Is that going to make me wake up in the morning and try to motivate me to get myself ready and keep working for a better contract.

"The strategy of the club some of the Premier League clubs have started to adapt to that type of system. Is it good for Chelsea football club? i think so. The main man of the club is signing eight or nine year contract and having him for that duration is good for the project of the club?"

On the club’s transfer needs, he stated that Chelsea must strengthen key areas, including a new striker, goalkeeper, and central defender.

“I think we can get back there but we're a bit far away from there. but with the players that we have now, there are so much talent in this team but now the owners and sporting directors know what they need to do to strengthen the team. If we can strengthen that areas in the summer, I think we can compete to win the league."  

"We need to get the right players in and get some players out, that I feel they are not ready to be in such a club like Chelsea. Then bring in maybe a striker, goalkeeper, and a central defender and another midfielder, I think then we should be competing to win the league."

When asked about the best striker in the Premier League, he picked Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, stating: “There is one that played for Newcastle. I think right now he's the best in England. His numbers are certainly fantastic."

He also revealed that Chelsea had come close to signing Victor Osimhen in the summer but fell short of finalizing the deal.

However, he hinted that negotiations could be revived in the upcoming transfer window.

“And of course the guy that have talked about so many terms, a certain guy called Victor Osimhen, who plays in Galatasaray.

"We almost sort of got the deal done in the summer. The club wanted the player and the player wanted to come as well. I know exactly where we stopped. If we want ti pick it up again in the summer it is just really easy to get it done."

With Chelsea eager to return to title contention, all eyes will be on their transfer activity this summer, particularly in their pursuit of a top-class striker like Osimhen.

Adeyemi Adewale
 

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