Mikel Obi Aims Dig at Enzo Fernandez Amid Conor Gallagher’s Chelsea Exit

Mikel Obi Aims Dig at Enzo Fernandez Amid Conor Gallagher’s Chelsea Exit

  • Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has sent a message to midfielder Enzo Fernandez ahead of the new season
  • The Argentina star has delivered inconsistently since joining the club in January 2023 for £106.7 million
  • Mikel Obi added that out of favour star Conor Gallagher was the team's best midfielder last season

Legend John Obi Mikel has a message for Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, his second full season at Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez joined Chelsea in the winter transfer window of 2023 for £106.7 million after being named the best young player at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Enzo Fernandez captained Chelsea during pre-season friendly against Inter Milan.
Enzo Fernandez captained Chelsea during the pre-season friendly against Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge. Photo by Marc Atkins.
Source: Getty Images

He has played under different managers, including Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Frank Lampard, but has yet to deliver consistently.

He was injured in the final weeks of last season, and the midfield of Conor Gallagher and Moises Caicedo performed well in his absence, helping the team win five straight games to end the season m

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Mikel aims dig at Enzo Fernandez

Fernandez is one of the Chelsea players Mikel Obi spoke about on the Obi One Podcast ahead of the 2024/25 season, telling him to step up this season and praising Gallagher along the line.

“The best player for me last season aside from Cole Palmer was Conor Gallagher, he was putting in the effort and performances that was needed. Is Conor Gallagher going to improve the team? Yes,” he said.
“When Conor Gallagher played with Moises Caicedo towards the end of last season, the team played better without Enzo Fernandez, the energy that he had, we need that.”
“Enzo needs a big season, we can't keep making excuses for him, he's a world class player, won the World Cup and is fantastic for Argentina, but he needs a big season,” he added.

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According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Gallagher’s departure to Atletico Madrid was agreed, but Chelsea's withdrawal from the Samu Omorodion deal held it up. A return for João Félix is being negotiated to allow the deal to go through.

Mikel wants Osimhen at Chelsea

Legit.ng reported that Mikel Obi disclosed Didier Drogba’s role in helping Chelsea to convince Victor Osimhen to move to England with the Premier League club interested.

The former Super Eagles captain claimed he has been in contact with his compatriot, and as he is a player, his former club needs him because they lack a potent number nine.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Elijah Odetokun avatar

Elijah Odetokun (Sports Editor) Elijah Odetokun is a Nigerian sports editor at Legit NG. He has four years of working experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria (August 2020 - September 2020), OmaSports (December 2020 - June 2021), El Futbolero (July 2021; September 2021- November 2021), and Sports Brief (November 2022 - July 2024). He is a press conference and interview specialist and has attended trainings held by Reuters, AIPS, and FIJ. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture (2021) from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Reach me via elijah.odetokun@sportsbrief.com