Michael Essien Explains Why Nicolas Jackson’s Response to Mikel Obi Criticism Was So Intense
Michael Essien has weighed in on the controversy between Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and club legend Mikel Obi, following Mikel’s public criticism of Jackson after Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Mikel questioned whether Jackson, at 23, had what it took to lead Chelsea’s attack. Jackson reacted strongly, posting a now-deleted Instagram story, telling Mikel to “shut your mouth” and expressing his frustration by saying, “we are killing ourselves for Africa.”
Essien, a former teammate of Mikel, explained that Jackson’s intense response may have been influenced by the fact that the criticism came from a former player.
Essien noted in an interview with Joy Sports, “Everyone has an opinion, but I think it’s not personal. However, when the criticism comes from ex-players, it hurts the players even more, and then they react.”
Although Mikel later clarified that his comments weren’t meant to disrespect Jackson, the incident sparked discussions among fans and pundits.
Since the exchange, Jackson has shown resilience on the field, scoring twice and assisting once in four appearances for Chelsea, suggesting he is using the criticism as motivation to improve his game.
Essien’s remarks highlight the emotional impact that critiques from ex-players can have, especially for young talents like Jackson trying to make their mark at big clubs like Chelsea.
Michael Essien Explains Why Nicolas Jackson’s Response to Mikel Obi Criticism Was So Intense
