John Obi Mikel has finally responded to Nicolas Jackson after the Chelsea attacker asked him to ‘shut his mouth’, in response to the club legend’s criticism.
Sports Buddy recently reported that Jackson had uploaded a post on his Instagram account, with the caption, ”Shut your mouth don’t talk shit, we are killing ourselves for Africa.”
This is in response to Mikel’s criticism a week ago, where the former defensive midfielder questioned the Senegalese attacker’s goal-scoring abilities, suggesting the club needs a proper striker.
Jackson’s post sparked a debate on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with different factions of fans taking opposite sides.
What John Obi Mikel said
Amid the controversy, Mikel has now responded to Jackson trying to clarify his initial statement.
”I really like the guy as a football player, MikeObi said on his ObiOne podcast as posted on Euro Foot on X.
”I like him there’s something there as a football player.
”I haven’t said he’s a bad player at all. I’ve only said that his finishing qualities is not there,” he added.
”He’s a young boy”, the co-host chipped in.
”He’s a young boy exactly,” Mikel responded.
John Mikel Obi said Jackson needs to understudy a more experienced striker at the club, while also acknowledging the 22-year-old striker’s efforts.
”And all I’ve said is that he needs more like a kind of experienced player to come into the football club to help him,” he continued.
”To help him improve, to help him get better, because we all know.. we all can see the shift he puts in week in week out.
”So for me I will like to see my African brother like he said do well in the Premier League.
”Come to Chelsea, a big club, a massive club, where we’ve had one of he greatest strikers in Didier Drogba from Africa, Ivory Coast.. Did really well, I’ll like to see him do well as well.”
Mikel also said he will praise Jackson’s good performances but also point out areas for improvement, even if it means facing criticism from the Chelsea man.
”So for me, if he plays well, I will praise him and there is something to be said about him where he needs to improve, I will definitely say it.
”And if tells me to shut up every week and tells me to shut up, I’ll take that.”
Fans react to John Obi Mikel’s response
Fans have now responded to Mikel’s latest comment.
One wrote,”I don’t see anything bad in what he said”
Another said, ”Mature response from the legend”
While a third wrote, ”Next time learn to mind your business,” implying Mikel should have not criticised Jackson in that manner.
