John Obi Mikel has slammed the performances of Jadon Sancho, suggesting the former Manchester United flop deceived Chelsea with his bright start at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea brought in Sancho from United last summer on a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy for £25million next summer.
The winger failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford having signed from Borussia Dortmund for £73m in 2021, notably frozen out towards the end of his time at the club after a public spat with Erik ten Hag.
It was hoped that a move back to London would help revitalise Sancho’s career and the early signs were promising, with the 24-year-old notching up four assists in his first three league appearances under Enzo Maresca.
However, Sancho’s form, like many within Chelsea’s squad, has dipped over the past few months and the Blues now find themselves outside the top four.
In his past 16 league appearances, Sancho has just two goals and a solitary assist and Mikel believes that the Englishman has reverted back to the disappointing displays fans were used to when he was at United.
‘Jadon Sancho, he came here and he’s deceived us with a few good games,’ the former Blues midfielder said on the Obi One Podcast.
‘We thought, ‘Oh f*****g hell, now we’re getting the Jadon Sancho from (Borussia) Dortmund’.
‘He’s gone again. He’s gone. I don’t know what’s happened to Jadon. He’s disappeared off the grid.
‘He takes the ball, he doesn’t go past players anymore, he doesn’t create chances anymore. He doesn’t help the team as much as he should be.’
Obi Mikel also slammed his former club for their failure to bring in adequate competition for Nicolas Jackson in the January transfer window, a decision that has now come back to haunt the club following the striker’s recent injury blow.
Chelsea will likely look to rectify the situation in the summer and Mikel said a move for long-time target Victor Osimhen should not be ruled out.
‘Chelsea has always been his club,’ Mikel said of the Nigerian striker who currently plays for Galatasary.
‘He has come out open to say it’s his childhood club, growing up, he’s always wanted to play for the club, his idol is Didier Drogba.
‘He loves the way he played. He made it pretty clear that this is a club he wants to come to.
‘Unfortunately, we didn’t get it done last summer, but listen, you never know, I don’t think the door is shut completely.’
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