Manchester City v Manchester United - Emirates FA Cup Final
Two of United’s brightest young stars are on Chelsea’s radar (Picture: Getty Images)
John Obi Mikel would welcome the arrivals of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea to join the Blues’ army of young stars.
Chelsea’s first season under Enzo Maresca ended in success, securing Champions League qualification through a fourth-place finish and bagging the Europa Conference League trophy to boot.
Youth shone through with Chelsea officially the youngest team in Premier League history – the average age of their starting XIs during the course of the campaign was just 24 years and 36 days.
There will be more new kids on the block in the coming weeks. Liam Delap is poised to arrive from Ipswich Town and will be joined by Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian, two of the brightest young talents in South American football. Delap is the old man of that group at the ripe old age of 22 with Geovany Quenda also set to arrive from Sporting CP next year.
He is expected to arrive in time to play a part in Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign, kicking off on 16 June against Los Angeles FC with Mikel part of DAZN’s broadcast team leading coverage for the revamped competition.
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The recruitment drive is expected to continue beyond that. Chelsea explored a move for Garnacho in January and have also been credited with interest in another of their burgeoning stars in Mainoo. Both could be available this summer, although there is a growing sense the England international will remain in Manchester.
At a glance:
Amid a backdrop of chaos at Old Trafford this season, Mainoo has struggled to reach the heights of his breakout campaign under Erik ten Hag. Garnacho meanwhile may have sealed his own fate with his public criticism of Ruben Amorim that followed the Europa League final.
Garnacho and Mainoo will improve Chelsea despite recent struggles
With Chelsea a blossoming environment for youngsters, former Blues star Mikel is confident both players would thrive at Chelsea as they look to take the next step and challenge for the Premier League and Champions League next season.
Garnshco Getty Images)
‘I like both of these players,’ Mikel told Metro. ‘I have no idea what the issue is with Garnacho and Ruben Amorim because for me he is one of the best players at Man United. The squad is what it is, and you want to get rid of Garnacho. Really? I can’t see the sense in that because every time he plays he is a threat.
‘The issue is probably the defensive side of his game but that is something you have to work with a young player on. To change their mentality to make sure their defensive responsibilities are taken seriously.
Manchester United FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Mainoo has struggled to hit the heights of last season (Picture: Getty Images)
‘With Kobbie Mainoo, maybe they feel they need to cash in on him to raise the funds. Maybe he did not have the season we all expected from him last season, he looked a shadow of the player he was when he first burst onto the scene. Again, I have no idea what the issue has been. The system, the manager? Is he not happy with the environment at the football club?
‘There are so many factors you have to look at right now with Manchester United. If those are two players Chelsea want, I will take those two, definitely. They can only come in and improve us as a football club. I know if they come in, they will improve us as a team.’
‘We have a great squad, a young team but a great squad, a team that has just tasted what it is like to win a trophy,’ Mikel continued. ‘The environment is so important when you have all these youngsters. It is not like someone is a superstar at this point. They are all young, there shouldn’t be any ego. For them, it’s a brilliant environment to develop.
‘But you need a strong manager with a strong character that can deal with them and put them in their place when they are not doing things right. Maybe give them a little kick in the backside and tell them they have to wake up. Maresca has been that guy for me.’
Delap is no Osimhen but Mikel backs Jackson up front
Chelsea saw off interest from a long list of teams to agree a deal with Delap, who will join the club for a modest fee of £30million. His arrival at Chelsea effectively signals an end to the club’s interest in Victor Osimhen – a player Mikel has been desperate to see join his old side.
Ipswich Town FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Delap opted for Chelsea over a host of other clubs (Picture: Getty Images)
Nicolas Jackson has been Maresca’s main man up top, scoring 30 goals across his two seasons in west London. Mikel, who spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge, has often been accused of being the Senegal international’s biggest critics, questioning his finishing ability in the past with Jackson telling the ex-midfielder to ‘shut his mouth’ last summer.
But the former Blues star says his criticism is constructive. While Osimhen now appears to be off the table, he believes the presence of Delap is ideal to create a competitive culture at the focal point of Maresca’s attack – one that will pay off for all involved.
‘I am not trying to push Jackson out the door’
‘A lot of people think I am harsh on Jackson. I’m not!’ Mikel said. ‘What I have said is healthy competition is so important at the football club. In my days, we had Didier Drogba competing with Shevchenko, Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka. We had top strikers coming to the club to create that competitive environment. Which Drogba embraced. He knew he was the guy and he would eventually come out on top which he did.
Chelsea FC v Legia Warszawa - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Jackson has had his critics in west London (Picture: Getty Images)
‘So I have always said that about Jackson, I have not tried to push him out of the door because he is a talent. He has shown he can play at this level but he does need someone to come in and push him, to create that competitive environment and I am sure the club has done that with Delap.
‘For him to choose to come to Chelsea instead of Man United or Arsenal, it does show how strong we are right now. He has decided to come to a club that wins trophies and Chelsea right now are back doing that. He is young, he can only get better. I hope he can hit the ground running. Everyone knows who I wanted to come into the club but Chelsea decided to go another direction. Which is fine, I hope it works out for Delap and the club. We have to support him.’
John Obi Mikel was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Watch all 63 games live onDAZNfor free.
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