Former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has suggested that the club’s manager, Enzo Maresca, should take a page from Pep Guardiola’s book when it comes to tactical flexibility.
Mikel, speaking on his podcast, believes Chelsea’s style of play has become too predictable for other Premier League teams. He says that clubs are now able to easily stop Chelsea’s attacks, leaving the players with no fresh ideas.
The former Super Eagles captain mentioned that Guardiola’s ability to adjust his tactics has helped Manchester City remain successful. He pointed out that City doesn’t always rely on their usual 20-pass buildup and can switch to a more direct approach when necessary, as seen in their recent match against Newcastle.
Mikel stresses that Chelsea needs to find new ways to win matches, as the current approach isn’t working. He also expressed concern that the team’s players appear to be running out of ideas, especially after their 3-0 loss to Brighton over the weekend.
As Chelsea sits in 6th place on the Premier League table, Mikel’s comments highlight the urgency for tactical changes if the Blues are to compete at the highest level.
