Former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea legend, John Obi Mikel, has openly criticised his former club, Chelsea FC, for opting against the signing of Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, describing the decision as a missed opportunity for the London side ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States.
Mikel, who made his mark at Stamford Bridge with multiple trophies including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup, expressed his disappointment during a recent interview with The London Standard, where he questioned Chelsea’s choice to invest £30 million in 22-year-old Liam Delap from relegated Ipswich Town, rather than secure the services of the proven Napoli striker.
While acknowledging Delap’s work rate and potential, Mikel was quick to point out that the young English forward lacks Premier League pedigree and remains largely untested at the highest level of football. “I like Liam Delap. He’s a good young striker who works his socks off. But is he a proven goalscorer in the Premier League? Can he do it at a big club like Chelsea? That’s the question,” Mikel said.
The Nigerian football icon stressed that Chelsea’s longstanding culture has always been about winning trophies immediately, not long-term experiments. “Chelsea is a club built on winning. That’s the culture. That’s what we do. If you want to win, you bring in someone like Victor Osimhen. He is the finished article, a striker who can get you goals, win trophies, and help push the team into the top four,” Mikel added.
Osimhen, who scored consistently for Napoli and remains one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe, is reportedly valued at around €75 million. However, high wage demands have reportedly cooled interest from several top clubs. Mikel insisted that despite those financial demands, a player of Osimhen’s calibre is worth every penny for a club with Chelsea’s ambition.
“Big clubs pay for big players. Osimhen fits into the Chelsea DNA — he’s strong, quick, and knows how to score. If Chelsea are serious about winning the Club World Cup and competing globally, they need a striker who delivers now, not in three or four years,” he added.
Mikel noted that while he understands the club’s long-term project, relying heavily on youth development, he believes that such a strategy should be complemented by the acquisition of proven talent — especially when immediate silverware is at stake.
“For me, it’s simple. Scoring goals should be the top priority going into the Club World Cup. Chelsea create plenty of chances, but they lack clinical finishers. That’s the biggest issue we must address,” he stated.
In addition to Delap’s modest return of 12 goals for Ipswich — a club that failed to avoid relegation — Mikel questioned whether the pressure of leading the line for a club of Chelsea’s stature might prove too much, too soon for the youngster.
“I hope he does well, I really do. But the fans, myself included, would have liked to see a proven goalscorer, someone who has done it at the top level — whether in Italy or Turkey — come in and make an immediate impact,” Mikel added.
As Chelsea prepare to depart for the United States to represent Europe in the FIFA Club World Cup, optimism among fans remains cautious. While the club recently celebrated a UEFA Conference League triumph, the lack of a proven striker continues to be a talking point among pundits and supporters alike.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s future appears increasingly uncertain. Reports from Italy, particularly Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, suggest the Nigerian international may be eyeing a move to Manchester United. The report claims that United are considering a swap deal involving Joshua Zirkzee when the transfer window reopens on June 16.
Osimhen, who has reportedly ruled out a return to Napoli despite being officially scheduled to rejoin the Serie A side by mid-July, is said to still harbour ambitions of competing at the very top of European football. His next destination remains a topic of intense speculation, but for Mikel and many Chelsea fans, the belief is clear — the West London club may have just let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers.
