Former Nigerian footballer and Chelsea star, John Mikel Obi, has given his prediction for Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League season. Mikel Obi expects the Blues to finish seventh in the league under their new manager, Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea, who finished in sixth place last season with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, now faces a new era. Pochettino has been replaced by Maresca, and Mikel believes this transition may see the team slip in their performance.

Speaking to beIN Sports, Mikel shared that although Chelsea is making significant changes, these may not be enough to secure a higher position in the table. He believes that, despite their efforts, Chelsea could end up in seventh place by the end of the season.

With the new season fast approaching, fans are eager to see how Chelsea will fare under Maresca’s leadership and whether Mikel Obi’s prediction will come true.

He said:

 “I’ve always said I predict Chelsea to finish seventh in the Premier League this season because I just don’t see them winning that many games.

“I think it’s going to be a tough season, and when the going gets tough, I want to see how Enzo Maresca is going to deal with it.

“I don’t think he’s been in that situation before, and that’s going to be tested.”

It will be interesting to watch Chelsea this season as they navigate through these changes. While Mikel Obi’s prediction of a seventh-place finish may concern some fans, it’s also a call to pay attention to the team’s journey and development under a new manager.