Mikel: Chelsea has lost its DNA

John Obi Mikel has lashed out at Chelsea’s current owners. The former midfielder believes that BlueCo is deliberately distancing itself from club icons of the successful era under Roman Abramovich and has consequently lost Chelsea’s ‘DNA’. ‘They no longer want anyone who helped make this club great.’

In his Obi One Podcast, Mikel argued for a greater role for John Terry within the club. Terry was captain for many years during the most successful period in the club’s history and won, among other things, five league titles and the Champions League with Chelsea. The club icon currently works in a part-time role within the youth academy, but recently stated himself that he had not received a call to join interim manager Calum McFarlane’s staff following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior.

According to Mikel, Terry does not necessarily need to be given a specific position, but he does need to be closer to the squad to make it clear to young players what Chelsea stands for as a club.

Mikel himself played for Chelsea for eleven years and won, among other things, the Champions League, Europa League, and two league titles. That is precisely why he is bothered by the club’s current direction. ‘The football club’s DNA has disappeared. This is no longer the Chelsea I love,’ stated the former midfielder. ‘I am not saying we have to win everything every year, but show that we are making progress.’

The criticism comes at a sensitive moment for Chelsea.

The London club lost 3-1 to Nottingham Forest on Monday and can therefore no longer qualify for Champions League football. Chelsea is currently ninth in the Premier League and is even in danger of missing out on European football. The FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 16 is therefore seen as the best chance to still secure Europa League football next season. Meanwhile, frustration is growing among supporters towards owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.