Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has come to the defence of Liam Rosenior, insisting that the manager should not be blamed for Chelsea’s current struggles.
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Speaking on the situation at Stamford Bridge, Mikel shifted the focus away from the coach and pointed directly at the club’s leadership.
“It’s not his fault,” he said.
According to the former midfielder, the root of Chelsea’s problems lies in decisions made by the hierarchy, particularly the appointment of a relatively inexperienced manager to lead a squad that is itself still developing.
“They put him in a difficult position,” he implied.
Mikel questioned the logic behind pairing an inexperienced coach with an equally inexperienced group of players, suggesting that stronger leadership was needed to guide the team through a transitional phase.
“It doesn’t add up,” he noted.
He also raised concerns about leadership within the squad, asking who is truly guiding the team during difficult moments.
“Who is leading who?” he asked.
For Mikel, the lack of clear direction, both on and off the pitch, has contributed to the club’s inconsistency and struggles.
“It’s a structural issue,” he stressed.
Despite the criticism, his comments reflect a broader concern about how the club is being managed, rather than a direct attack on the coach.
As Chelsea continues to navigate a challenging period, the debate over responsibility is likely to persist.
But for Mikel, the message is clear.
Blame should be placed where it belongs.
Because in football, success, and failure, starts at the top.
