Mikel also said sacked ex-Chelsea boss, Potter, was given enough time, insisting the club made the right decision to fire him
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ex-Chelsea player, Mikel John Obi, has said he is optimistic that his old club will start playing good football, following the return of his former colleague, Frank Lampard to the west London club.
Mikel made this known during a recent interview on Dubai radio station, Eye 103.8 FM, where he also blamed Chelsea owners for the club’s miserable season.
He said: “Yeah, I’m very happy, I mean I think the last time he (Lampard) was at the club, he did really well. I think he started really well. He brought the likes of Mason Mount to the club.
“I think if you look at Frank, and if you look at the way he’s been speaking since he came back, I think you can feel maybe there’s a little bit of hope and enthusiasm,”
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He, however, queried the club owner’s recruitment policy this season, wondering why they kept bringing players into the club indiscriminately.
“I don’t know if they’re making decisions right, but for me, it just seems like they’re bringing just so many different players, and it’s just not working really,” Mikel added
The former Nigerian international went on to claim former Chelsea boss, Potter was given enough time and insisted the club made the right decision to let him go.
Reacting to his sack, he said: “Was the club too big for him to manage? Maybe because when I look at him sometimes on the touchline, it’s like he doesn’t really know what to do … you know, he’s not communicating to the players. He doesn’t tell them what to do on the pitch.
“Was he given enough time? I think so. I think when you look at where the club is now, I mean what is it, 11th? 11th yeah, seven months. So when you look at it, I mean he’s been given a lot of time,”
The 40-year-old went on to accuse the ex-Brighton tactician of not doing enough to motivate the Chelsea player, especially from the dugout.
“He wasn’t a manager who’s always motivated, who wants to be very passionate on the touchline.
“Like a manager telling you what to do sometimes. Players need that. We need a bit of a kick up the backside you know – to be able to wake up.
“I wasn’t seeing that (with Potter),” Mikel further said.