Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has denied calling Senegalese international Nicolas Jackson a “bad player” following a heated exchange on social media. The incident came after Jackson told Mikel to “shut up” in response to criticism the ex-Nigerian captain made after Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Mikel had commented on Jackson’s finishing, stating, “Jackson’s finishing is a prime example. Even though he was offside, you could see how he dribbled past one, two, three players and the way he struck the ball. You need a striker who knows how to put the ball in the back of the net, and that’s what we’re lacking.”
After Jackson scored in Chelsea’s 7-2 victory over Southampton the following week, he responded to Mikel’s critique by telling him to “shut up.”
Mikel has since defended his comments, clarifying that they were meant as constructive criticism. Speaking to beIN Sports, he said, “I’ve always said Nicolas Jackson 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. It’s not coming from a bad place, it’s really constructive criticism.”
He further explained, “But he doesn’t see it that way. That’s why when he scored, he told me to shut up!”
