Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has criticised the club’s transfer strategy, saying the Blues are paying the price for failing to strengthen their midfield.
Chelsea have been forced to reshuffle their midfield options after Moises Caicedo was sidelined with a calf injury, with Romeo Lavia and right-back Reece James being used in central midfield roles.
Mikel said the situation was made worse by the departure of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City in a British-record £125 million transfer, with Chelsea failing to sign an adequate replacement.
He noted that a proposed move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara also collapsed late in the transfer window.
“That is one position where the club has not managed to strengthen during the transfer window. We have failed,” Mikel said on the Obi One Podcast.
According to the former Nigeria international, Chelsea knew for some time that Fernandez wanted to leave and should have prepared a replacement before his eventual departure.
“We have £125 million available, but we did not bring in another player, and that is why we are currently suffering,” he added.
Mikel also linked Chelsea’s defensive problems to the lack of protection in midfield, arguing that the team needs two holding midfielders to shield the defence effectively.
He warned that without adequate midfield protection, Chelsea’s back four could continue to be exposed and vulnerable to opposition attacks.