“Taking responsibility” – John Obi Mikel criticises Enzo Maresca for Axel Disasi decisions | OneFootball

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has jumped on his latest Podcast to offer some criticism to Blues head coach Enzo Maresca.

Mikel, like most Chelsea fans, is frustrated with the last three games after things had started looking up for the club and for the fortunes this season.

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At one point, Chelsea looked like they were going to have a chance of going into 2025 in second place in the Premier League. But after drawing with Everton, losing to Fulham, and then being beaten 2-0 by relegation battlers Ipswich Town on Monday night, they had to make do with ending 2024 in fourth place in the league.

To be honest, I still think this is exceeding expectations, because having done some polls on my own personal Chelsea website at the start of the season, barely anyone predicted Chelsea will finish in the top four this season. So if the season ended today and Chelsea got fourth, I think most fans would be content with that and would not have expected it at the start of the season.

Mikel goes in

Disasi always has a mistake in him

Enzo Maresca decided to start Axel Disasi at right back against Ipswich when he had three right backs on the bench. Disasi was awful and at fault for the second goal.

Speaking on his latest Podcast in words cited on X, Mikel said:

“Why is Disasi playing right-back when you have three right-backs on the bench? The manager needs to start taking responsibility for dropped points.”

He was also quoted as saying:

“I’ve got no idea why the manager drops gusto sometimes and plays Disasi at right back.”

I think those points and frustrations are echoed by pretty much every Chelsea fan right now. He wanted to rest players, fine, but you have Josh Acheampong right there!