Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has attacked Chelsea’s player recruitment strategy following the club’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the opening Premier League match of the season.
Despite the arrival of new coach Enzo Maresca, who led Leicester City to a successful Championship season last year, Chelsea’s struggles continue post-Abramovich.
The club has experienced a challenging transition, finishing 12th in the 2022/23 season and 6th in the 2023/24 season—its worst performances since the 2015/16 season when they also placed 10th.
Obi criticized the current board’s recruitment approach, contrasting it with the era when Marina Granovskaia, the club’s former sporting director, oversaw transfers.
He praised the signings made during his time, such as Deco, Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko, and Fernando Torres, who were vital to improving the squad.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS, Obi said, “At the time, Marina was the face of the club after Roman Abramovich. She was in charge of all the transfers and brought in players who could improve the team.”
This summer, Chelsea has focused on signing young talents, including Omari Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu, Estevao Willian, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dewsbury-Hall, and Filip Jorgensen.
Obi further emphasized the need for a prolific striker, comparing current forward Nicolas Jackson unfavourably to Didier Drogba.
He noted, “We knew last season that we needed a striker who scores goals.
Jackson does a bit here and there, but we need a top striker like Drogba.
Look at Haaland today; he took his chance with precision. We lack that kind of top-level striker with Premier League experience.”
