Mikel Questions Chelsea’s Direction Under Liam Rosenior After Recent Stumbles
John Obi Mikel has voiced strong concerns about Chelsea FC’s trajectory under new head coach Liam Rosenior, claiming the club have “gone five steps backwards” following recent league performances.
Speaking on his podcast, the former Blues midfielder suggested that Chelsea made a mistake by parting ways with Enzo Maresca, whom he believes had established a clear identity and winning formula at Stamford Bridge.
Mikel pointed to back-to-back league draws — a 1-1 result against Burnley FC and a 2-2 stalemate with Leeds United — as evidence of regression. Against Burnley, Chelsea took an early lead through João Pedro after a low delivery from Pedro Neto, but failed to capitalise on their bright start. Similarly, they squandered a 2-0 advantage against Leeds in the previous fixture.
“We had Enzo Maresca. I’ve said it, I think it was a massive mistake to sack him,” Mikel said. “We took a step forward, and we’ve gone five steps backwards. Liam has come in and he’s won games, but there is absolutely something that is missing.”
Despite Mikel’s criticism, Rosenior’s record suggests a relatively solid start, with eight wins in his opening 12 matches across all competitions. While recent dropped points have sparked debate, some view Mikel’s remarks as an emotional reaction rather than a reflection of long-term decline.
Chelsea now face mounting pressure to rediscover consistency as they aim to remain competitive in the title race.