John Obi Mikel on Rio Ferdinand's podcast.
John Obi Mikel on Rio Ferdinand's podcast.

“He’s not good enough” – Chelsea dumped playmaker because Maresca doesn’t rate him claims former Blue

Jon Obi Mikel has carved out a solid niche for himself as a Chelsea podcaster who a) has the insight of being a former player but also b) isn’t afraid to say what he thinks and isn’t in the club’s pocket.

This week has seen plenty of frustration from Chelsea fans over their club’s transfer strategy, and Mikel was able to wade into that, specifically on the issue of Joao Felix, who has just been loaned out 6 months after signing a 7 year contract.

What is happening there? Mikel has a clear answer:

“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 or during games or around the place. There must be something that’s made so many managers be like ‘you know what, thank you very much, you’re not good enough.’,” the former Blues midfielder said.

We’d hesitate to put any responsibility on Maresca ourselves – we’d imagine he had very little say in the deal at all. He’s been handed a player and realised right away he’s a poor fit. That’s not on him, that’s on the people who choose the players.

Felix gets his share of blame from frustrated Mikel

Joao Felix trains watched by Enzo Maresca.
Joao Felix trains watched by Enzo Maresca.

The other person who deserves blame is Felix himself, and Mikel didn’t go easy on him either:

“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. So 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 to apply himself better. Whether that’s training well, eating the right food, sleeping well, the friends he has around him He needs to make sure he sorts that out. Because now we’ve paid so much money for him, brought him back to Chelsea. Now we’ve got rid of him again.”

Tags Joao Felix

9 Comments

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  1. What I know is that Felix is a fantastic player, extremely gifted and I dare add quite experienced. At the age 25 he’s already played for big European major leagues and of course his national team. Maresca needed to advise him properly if indiscipline was the issue not send him parking. I think even Palmer cannot measure up to him, given a chance and a positive attitude from the manager.

  2. What happened to Felix l even failed to understand him, you move to the club for the second time you remain at the same level! Oh no there must be something destroying his career.

  3. I agree with Mikel Obi hundred percent, the gaffer needs to sit him down and advice him honestly.Let see improvement or get rid of him, he’ll find his level somewhere and settle. When that’s done the footballing world would be at peace.

  4. Players have no problem Enzo is not a coach, Chelsea level is above him, your just blaming players for nothing, he doesn’t know how to use players

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