"Not once I have ever said he is a bad player" - Chelsea legend insists his criticism of Nicolas Jackson ‘is not coming from a bad place’
Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has stood by his criticism of Nicolas Jackson after the Senegalese striker told him to "shut up". Mikel insists that his comments about the striker come from a place of concern.
The Blues signed Jackson from Villarreal in 2023 for a reported £30 million fee. Despite scoring 17 goals in his debut campaign for the west Londoners, the 23-year-old came under some criticism for his inconsistent finishing.
Mikel was one among his critics, having questioned Jackson's abilities in front of goal and reiterating the need for Chelsea to sign another striker. The Senegal international hit back at the former Chelsea midfielder, urging him to keep his mouth shut.
After their row last month, Mikel recalled the incident, insisting that his comments had been made with good intentions. He said on beIN Sports (as quoted by Metro):
"I’ve always said what I’ve said about Nicolas Jackson. He is a good player, there is not once I have ever said he is a bad player. The only criticism is his finishing needs to be much better. In terms of giving us what we want, being in the right place at the right time, he does for the team. "
He added:
"I don’t think he agrees to that but I think everyone will understand what I am saying. It is not coming from a bad place, it’s a really constructive criticism."
Ruud Gullit, who was on punditry duty alongside Mikel, said:
"As long as he knows that himself."
To which Mikel replied:
"But he doesn’t. That’s why when he scored he told me to shut up!"
Chelsea will next face West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday (21 September).
Nicolas Jackson promises to repeat Cristiano Ronaldo celebration after penning new long-term Chelsea contract
Nicolas Jackson has previously stated that he was a massive fan of Cristiano Ronaldo as a child. The Senegalese striker opened up about watching his games at Real Madrid.
Jackson recently signed a new long-term contract with the Blues which will see him remain at Stamford Bridge until 2033, extending the terms of his previous deal by two years.
In November 2023, the Chelsea striker used Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'Siu' celebration after scoring a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur. Speaking in an interview, he said at the time (via The Mirror):
“When I was growing up, I loved Cristiano Ronaldo. I had his name on a shirt that I always wore. Not an actual shirt because they are expensive, so you don’t buy them. But I had a shirt that I put 7, Ronaldo on with a pen. I did it myself when I was a kid."
“Of course, I would pretend to be him, but it was difficult to watch his games because you needed to pay. We would go to my friend’s house, everybody. We would watch in a large group, never just with one person in the house. All my friends, we’d all go to one house to watch Real Madrid.”
After committing his long-term future to the club, Jackson promised to repeat the "Siu" celebration if he scores another hat-trick. He said:
"The siuuu is like important. Just when I score hat-trick, I’ll do that one."