91-capped ex-Super Eagles captain blasts Chelsea over £125m transfer blunder

Chelsea legend and former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has criticised his former club for failing to replace Enzo Fernandez after his £125 million move to Manchester City, Soccernet.ng reports.

Fernandez left Chelsea for Manchester City on deadline day in a British record-equalling deal, but the Blues were unable to bring in a replacement before the transfer window closed.

Chelsea attempted to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, but the move collapsed late in the window, leaving new manager Xabi Alonso without another option in midfield.

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The decision has come under scrutiny following Chelsea’s recent defensive problems, with the Blues conceding 12 goals in their opening six matches across all competitions. Mikel believes the failure to strengthen the midfield has contributed significantly to those problems.

Chelsea’s defensive problems expose £125m transfer mistake

Chelsea’s results under Alonso have highlighted the contrast between their attacking strength and defensive vulnerability.

The Blues opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win at Fulham before beating Brighton 4-3 at Stamford Bridge. They then suffered their first league defeat of the season in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal.

Chelsea responded with a 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town and then thrashed Leeds United 6-3, but they were held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Hull City in their latest league outing.

The 4-3 win over Brighton and 6-3 victory against Leeds demonstrated Chelsea’s ability to score goals, but conceding seven goals across those two games also underlined their vulnerability at the other end.

Against Hull, Chelsea again conceded twice at Stamford Bridge, with Mohamed Belloumi scoring both of Hull’s goals before Joao Pedro rescued a point for Alonso’s side.

It was the latest example of a problem Mikel believes could have been avoided if Chelsea had strengthened the midfield before the transfer window closed.

“That is one position that the club has failed to strengthen during the transfer window. We failed,” Mikel said on the Obi One podcast.

“We knew Enzo Fernandez wanted to leave the football club. We knew for so long he wanted to go.”

Chelsea have £125m sitting in the bank – Ex-Super Captain

The former Chelsea midfielder was particularly critical of the club for allowing Fernandez to leave without securing another player for the position.

“Yes, we got £125m sitting in the bank, but we failed to bring in another player, and that’s why we are suffering right now,” Mikel said.

“We talk about leaking goals. Yes, we can blame the defence, but you need at least two holding players to be able to shield and protect the back-four in that system.

“You need that because you’re going to be exposed.”

Mikel’s argument comes after Chelsea’s midfield shortcomings were exposed during their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, when the Blues struggled to control the central areas and eventually conceded the winning goal.

Chelsea’s problems have become more pronounced because Moises Caicedo, their key defensive midfielder, has been largely unavailable this season because of injury.

Mikel identifies Caicedo as another major problem

While Mikel criticised Chelsea’s decision not to replace Fernandez, he also believes Caicedo’s absence has made Alonso’s job significantly harder.

“We are missing Moises Caicedo. When we get him back, I think we will be a much, much more solid team,” the former Nigeria captain said.

“He is that guy that breaks up play, that makes sure that our back four is well protected. Our back four is solid.”

The AFCON 2013 winner also highlighted the energy and defensive work Caicedo brings to the team, comparing his influence to the role Declan Rice plays for Arsenal.

“That energy that he brings, break-up plays, setting up plays, driving the ball forward, just what Declan Rice is doing for Arsenal.

“That’s what Moises Caicedo brings for us, and he’s been an absolutely huge miss.

“As soon as he comes back, I think we will be a much better team. There’s absolutely no question about it,” the one-time UEFA Champions League winner concluded.

Chelsea’s next Premier League assignment will provide another test of Alonso’s defensive setup when they travel to face Brentford on September 18.

With the January transfer window still months away, Alonso must find a solution from within his current squad if Chelsea are to stop conceding at their current rate.