Mikel Says Chelsea Board Has Taken ‘Five Steps Backwards’ After Maresca Exit

Mikel Obi has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea’s hierarchy, branding the decision to sack Enzo Maresca ‘absolutely crazy’ and insisting the club has gone ‘five steps backwards’ under new manager Liam Rosenior.

Maresca was dismissed on New Year’s Day after a poor run of form, despite winning the Club World Cup and Europa Conference League in his debut season and guiding Chelsea to a fourth-place Premier League finish.

Rosenior initially steadied the ship with six wins from his first seven matches, but Chelsea have since faltered, dropping points against relegation battlers Leeds United and Burnley, slipping behind Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification, and losing their Carabao Cup semi-final to Arsenal.

Speaking on his podcast, Mikel did not hold back.

‘It’s not convincing from Chelsea, not convincing. Honestly it’s a s— show at the club, there’s no question about that. We had Enzo Maresca and I think it was a massive mistake to sack him.

‘A manager that won us the Club World Cup, won us the Conference League, we had some sort of identity with the way we played. For the club to sack him is absolutely crazy. We’ve gone five steps backwards,’ he said.