“Am not afraid to say it” Chelsea dumped playmaker because Maresca doesn’t rate him claims former Blue
John Obi Mikel Criticizes Chelsea’s Handling of Joao Felix Transfer
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has established himself as a respected voice in the footballing world, using his platform as a podcaster to share unfiltered opinions about the club he once played for. Known for his honesty and insider perspective, Mikel hasn’t shied away from addressing Chelsea’s ongoing transfer struggles—particularly the perplexing situation surrounding Joao Felix.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Felix, who signed a seven-year contract just six months ago, has now been sent out on loan, raising serious questions about the club’s recruitment strategy. Speaking on the matter, Mikel didn’t hold back:
“Enzo Maresca has seen what other managers have seen. Maybe he’s not good enough. Maybe he’s not training well enough. Maybe he’s not applying himself well enough during training, during games, or around the club. There must be something that’s made so many managers say, ‘You know what, thank you very much, but you’re not good enough.’”
While some may be quick to blame Maresca for the decision, Mikel suggested that the issue lies deeper within Chelsea’s recruitment team. The manager has seemingly inherited a player who does not fit his plans, reinforcing the idea that the club’s decision-makers have once again misfired in the transfer market.
Felix Must Take Responsibility
Beyond Chelsea’s missteps, Mikel also placed responsibility on Felix himself, urging the 25-year-old to take a hard look at his career trajectory.
“The player has to look at himself. Joao Felix—yes, he’s turned 25. I remember when we used to say ‘wow, he’s 18, 19’—he’s 25 now. Time flies. If he wants to make something out of his career and stop moving around, he needs to look at himself in the mirror and start applying himself better. Whether that’s training well, eating the right food, sleeping well, or choosing the right friends, he needs to sort that out. Chelsea paid so much money for him, brought him back, and now we’ve gotten rid of him again.”
Felix has struggled to settle at multiple clubs, with his talent often overshadowed by inconsistency and questions about his work ethic. Mikel’s comments reflect the frustration many Chelsea fans feel, as yet another high-profile signing has failed to make a lasting impact.
The Bigger Picture
Felix’s loan departure is just another example of Chelsea’s ongoing transfer mismanagement. While Maresca will be expected to improve the squad with what he has, the burden ultimately falls on those making the recruitment decisions. Unless the club adopts a more structured and thoughtful approach to signings, similar situations will continue to arise.
For Felix, time is running out to fulfill the promise that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Whether he can turn things around remains to be seen—but, as Mikel pointed out, the responsibility now rests firmly on his shoulders.
