In a recent episode of his “Obi One Podcast,” former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel criticized the club’s January transfer decisions, labeling them as “bad business.” Mikel expressed his disapproval of the club’s handling of academy graduates Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah, both of whom were put up for sale during the transfer window. Gallagher was on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid, even traveling to Spain to finalize the move, but the deal collapsed, leaving him training with Chelsea’s Under-21 squad. Chalobah faced a similar situation, being sidelined from first-team activities.
Mikel emphasized the contributions of both players, stating, “Two young boys that bleed blue… At the club when they were little boys and now we have to sell them to make sure it balances the books.” He argued that their departures were a consequence of the club’s excessive spending on new signings, which necessitated the sale of homegrown talents to balance the financials. He added, “It comes down to the owners just spending way too much money and buying everybody that’s got a price tag on [them].”
Additionally, Mikel highlighted the need for record signing Enzo Fernandez to deliver a strong season, noting that the Argentine midfielder had previously underperformed. He remarked, “He’s a player that needs a big season… We’ve made excuses for him… But I think he needs a big season … .”
These comments reflect Mikel’s concern over Chelsea’s current transfer strategy and the potential long-term impact on the club’s development and success.
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