Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has been discussing what his former club need to do to become title contenders again.
It is coming up to eight years since Chelsea last won the Premier League title, with the Blues finishing first under Antonio Conte back in the 2016/17 season.
They have not come close to claiming the trophy since and once again find themselves only competing for a Champions League spot this term.
While the title is obviously gone now, the club can still win the Conference League. Chelsea face Copenhagen in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday.
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
John Obi Mikel urges Chelsea to sign a new striker and goalkeeper
Chelsea’s first-choice striker is Nicolas Jackson, while Robert Sanchez is the team’s No.1 in goal.
However, Jackson is currently out injured and suffered a dip in form just before being sidelined, while Sanchez has made a lot of mistakes this season. Sanchez absolutely baffled Mark Schwarzer with one decision he made in the Blues’ recent 1-0 win against Leicester City.
Mikel now wants Chelsea to sign a top striker and goalkeeper for Enzo Maresca this summer, believing his old side can win the title if they do.
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Discussing whether Chelsea can win the Premier League before London rivals Arsenal, Mikel said: “I think we can, I think we can. Listen, we know where we have to strengthen, everybody knows. It’s a no-brainer where we have to strengthen, everybody knows. If we do that, if we do that, with the squad that we have right now… get another top, top striker. Again, to help, to help Nicolas Jackson, to help Nicolas Jackson. Get another top, top striker.
“Now he’s injured, we’re struggling to score goals. Healthy competition, that’s what we’ve talked about here on this podcast. We’ve never criticised, a healthy competition is so important. If we get another top, top striker, create a healthy competition between the two strikers, listen mate, we will be competing to win the league. And another top goalkeeper because every team that wins the Premier League has one.”
Chelsea play Arsenal this weekend, hoping to make it three wins on the bounce after consecutive victories over Leicester and Southampton. It has been 10 years since Mourinho mocked Arsenal for not winning a title since 2004, which is still the case today.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
John Obi Mikel not a fan of Robert Sanchez
While Mikel just wants more competition for Jackson, it is not the same story with Sanchez. The former Nigeria midfielder clearly wants Chelsea to upgrade on the Spaniard, feeling that the club will never come first with him in goal.
When Mikel spoke about Sanchez specifically on his podcast after the Leicester game, he said: “There was a mistake from Sanchez again, which luckily didn’t end up in [a] goal, but what was he doing? I don’t get it. It was a cross that I think the central defenders can deal with and he’s come out again.
“I don’t know where he was going, but again, you look at that and you say to yourself and you say to the fans, ‘We can’t win the league with this goalkeeper’.”
Mikel could get his wish as the Blues continue to be linked with new shot-stoppers. It is thought that Chelsea could bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel, who appears to be one option they are currently considering.