Ghanaian football icon Michael Essien has stepped in to support Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson after a tense exchange between Jackson and his former Chelsea teammate, John Obi Mikel.
The incident unfolded when Mikel criticized Jackson’s performance at Chelsea, sparking a fiery response from the 22-year-old forward.
Jackson, who joined Chelsea from Villarreal in the summer of 2023, struggled with consistency during his debut season.
Despite scoring 14 league goals, he missed 24 clear-cut chances and fell short of his expected goals (xG) statistics, drawing criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Mikel, a key figure in Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League triumph, was among those urging Jackson to step up his game if he wanted to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
In response, Jackson took to Instagram with a blunt retort aimed at Mikel, writing, “Shut your mouth, don’t talk sh*t; we are killing ourselves for Africa.”
The post sparked mixed reactions, with some fans criticizing Jackson’s tone while others empathized with his frustration.
Michael Essien, who played alongside Mikel at Chelsea, addressed the controversy during an interview with Joy Sports, offering a balanced defense of Jackson. Essien explained that criticism from former players can sting and often leads to emotional responses from current players.
“Everyone has their own personality. Some would speak out, but for me, I’d probably just ignore it,” said Essien. “Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but it hits harder when the criticism comes from ex-players. That’s why you see reactions like Jackson’s.”
Essien acknowledged that while he might have handled things differently, Jackson’s outburst likely stemmed from the pressure of hearing such remarks from a respected figure like Mikel, who holds a significant place in Chelsea’s history.
Mikel, on the other hand, responded to Jackson’s comments with diplomacy, standing firm on his initial criticism. He reiterated that Jackson must prove himself on the pitch and silence critics by performing consistently, stating, “He should shut me up by scoring every week.”
The situation highlights the pressures young players face and how even constructive criticism from former stars can provoke strong emotions, especially when expectations are high at a club like Chelsea.
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