Former Chelsea of England ace midfielder, John Mikel Obi is tipping the London-based club to stage a bold challenge for next season’s top spot in the English Premier League, Sports247 reports.
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Although the Nigerian ex-international and erstwhile captain of the Super Eagles admitted that The Blues are currently not at their best, Mikel asserted that his former team are going through a reformative stage that is evocative of better days ahead of them.
Mikel reasoned with optimism, “I think we can get back there. Are we still fighting, we are a little bit. With the players we have right now, we will soon get better. There’s so much talent in this team.”
Mikel added that top shots at Stamford Bridge have already set in motion machinery that should propel the team back to their glorious days in the 2012 UEFA Champions League and 2013 Europa League, both of which they won.
The lanky star, who started his career abroad at Lyn Oslo of Norway and almost joined Manchester United before Chelsea snatched him from The Red Devils’ grip, added:
“Now the owners and the sporting directors are working hard and they know what needs to be done next season. They know the places in and around the squad that need to be strengthened.”
He concluded with a verdict that the desire of all Chelsea fans will soon be satisfied, as the club’s egg heads keep churning out ideas to move the team forward; which appears to have been proven right with Thursday’s 4-1 win away to Djurgaden of Sweden taking them one step closer to the UEFA Conference League final.
“I also know what the fans are crying for, and we’re all crying for that. There are some areas that need to be strengthened. If we do that, and we strengthen those areas in the summer, next season, we should be competing to win the league,” Mikel predicted.
Incidentally, Chelsea host newly crowned champions, Liverpool on Sunday, as The Blues seek to get back into the UCL qualification range.
Ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge, Mikel’s former team lie 5th on the EPL log with 60 points, which is same with Nottingham Forest in sixth but separated by inferior goals difference.
Newcastle United are fourth on 62 points, Manchester City third with 64 and Arsenal second on 67.
