John Obi Mikel Blasts Chelsea's 'Absolutely Crazy' Decision to Sack Enzo Maresca
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has launched a scathing attack on the club's board, labeling their decision to sack manager Enzo Maresca as 'absolutely crazy'. The Nigerian football legend, who won two Premier League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge, believes his former club has regressed significantly under current boss Liam Rosenior.
Maresca's Abrupt Departure and Rosenior's Mixed Start
Enzo Maresca was relieved of his duties on New Year's Day 2026, less than six months after leading Chelsea to victory in the Club World Cup at the end of his debut season. During his tenure, Chelsea secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and also clinched the Europa Conference League trophy. At the time of his dismissal, the Blues were sitting fifth in the league table but had managed just one win in their previous seven matches.
Liam Rosenior, who previously managed Strasbourg, enjoyed an impressive start to his Chelsea career, winning six of his first seven games in charge. However, recent performances have raised serious concerns. Chelsea surrendered leads in their last two home games against relegation-threatened Leeds United and Burnley, dropping crucial points that saw them fall three points behind top-four rivals Manchester United.
Mikel's Blunt Assessment of Chelsea's Current State
On his popular podcast, Mikel did not mince words when discussing Chelsea's current situation. 'It's not convincing from Chelsea, not convincing,' he stated bluntly. 'Honestly it's a s***show at the club, there's no question about that. Man United being above Chelsea, given how they started the season, is just incredible, it's awful to see. I don't see any consistency at Chelsea.'
The former midfielder expressed particular frustration with the decision to dismiss Maresca. 'We had Enzo Maresca and I think it was a massive mistake to sack him. I still believe that, I still stand by that. We don't know the ins and outs but I mean, it's ridiculous. A manager that won us the Club World Cup, won us the Conference League, we had some sort of identity with the way we played.'
Regression Under Rosenior's Leadership
Mikel believes Chelsea has taken significant steps backward since the managerial change. 'We took a step forward and competed against big teams under Maresca. For the club to sack him is absolutely crazy. We've gone five steps backwards. Yes Liam has come in and he's won games, but there is absolutely something that is missing. Something is not quite right.'
Rosenior himself acknowledged Chelsea's recent struggles after their 1-1 draw with Burnley, where Zian Flemming's injury-time header canceled out Joao Pedro's early goal. 'We should have won the game,' the manager admitted. 'We should have been more ruthless. The best teams put the opposition to bed. The best teams are ruthless when they have the upper-hand. If you are not ruthless you have to keep a clean sheet. There are not enough clean sheets.'
Crucial London Derby Ahead
Chelsea now faces a critical test as they prepare to take on title favorites and London rivals Arsenal on Sunday. The match represents an opportunity for Rosenior's side to regain momentum and silence critics like Mikel, who remains unconvinced about the direction of his former club under the current management.
The controversy surrounding Maresca's dismissal continues to cast a shadow over Chelsea's season, with club legends like Mikel questioning the board's decision-making process and the team's apparent regression despite Rosenior's initially promising start.
