John Obi Mikel has been proven right about Chelsea following their 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League.
The Blues were held after a disappointing showing on Wednesday evening, leaving fans unhappy with Enzo Maresca.
Esteveo was the best player on the pitch for the Blues, with the young forward continuing to shine following his big-money summer move.
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However, while Chelsea’s attack is starting to gel, their defence, as John Obi Mikel has previously pointed out, has big problems.
Former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel presents prior to the Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
John Obi Mikel was right about Chelsea’s centre-backs
The West Londoners lost to Sunderland in late October, prompting the former midfielder to make a big claim.
Mikel said that Chelsea will never win the Premier League with their current centre-backs, branding their defending against Regis Le Bris’ side as ‘awful’.
He said: “The way we conceded the last goal was just absolutely awful defending. Awful defending. And you know, I mentioned it so many times, we can’t win.
“The defenders that we have right now, the centre-backs that we have right now, we can’t win the Premier League with those centre-backs. We can’t win the Premier League.”
Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah were the starting central defenders against Sunderland, while Maresca opted for a different partnership on November 5.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Jorrel Hato played the full 90 minutes and both players have come under fire following their displays.
One fan wrote: “Hmmm Tosin Adarabioyo. You were supposed to be our experienced defender,” a second claimed: “Tosin Adarabioyo is a terrible footballer,” while another suggested: “I know we’re all blaming Maresca for starting Hato and Tosin yesterday, but if they can’t start against Qarabag, then they have no business being Chelsea players.”
Chelsea have kept one clean sheet in their last five, with it clear Maresca is struggling to find a cohesive centre-back pairing this season.
Enzo Maresca reacts during a Chelsea match
Photo by Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Chelsea could sign a centre-back
While they already have plenty of centre-backs at the club, Dayot Upamecano is of interest to Chelsea and could be available on a free transfer in June 2026 when his Bayern Munich deal runs out.
A Bayern chief has provided an Upamecano contract update this week amid links to the Frenchman from the Premier League.
He said: “It’s normal if other clubs are calling his agents, it’s part of the game”.
“I’ve already said that we want to do our best and get new contract done. We are on it”.