Former Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel has urged out-of-favour striker Nicolas Jackson to fight for his spot at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old Senegalese forward joined the Blues from Villarreal in 2023, scoring 30 goals and providing 12 assists in 81 games across all competitions.

However, Jackson has consistently been under scrutiny because of his profligacy in front of goal. The striker has an ironic way of making the simple things look hard, and the hard things look simple.

This has left the Chelsea fanbase divided in their opinion of the one-time UEFA Conference League winner. While many believe he'll develop into a world-class striker, others simply believe he's not good enough.

In the middle ground is Mikel Obi, who's previously mentioned the Senegalese shouldn't be starting for Chelsea, but also admitted getting competition in the number nine role would be healthy for the club.

Jackson then hit back at the 2013 AFCON winner, telling him to shut up after scoring in Chelsea's 6-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last year.

Mikel tells Jackson to stay at Chelsea

Nearly a year later, Chelsea have signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro as they look to bolster their attack.

They've also brought in Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato, and Mikel praised his former side for a job well done in the summer's transfer window.

“Listen, I think we've done really good business. Not just the players coming in, but the players going out as well,” the Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze medallist said on the Obi One Podcast.

“We've done some really good business looking at the players we've gotten rid of this summer as well.

“We've recouped an amazing amount of money from the players going out, over $200m, but I think the one business I'm hoping the club will do, as we all know, Levi Colwill is injured.

“He's a fantastic player for us, solid at the back, I think he's the best centre-back we have at the club. His absence will be felt, so I think the club knows they have to go into the market to strengthen that position.”

With Delap and Pedro's arrival, Jackson has fallen down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca, although Chelsea have improved significantly in attack since he became a squad player.
Reports about Jackson looking to leave Stamford Bridge in search of playing time has surfaced, but Mikel maintains he still has a role at Chelsea.

“We've seen it, the business we've done before the Club World Cup by bringing in those two strikers. Now, everyone can see what I've been saying all along.

“What we need is competition. It just pushes everyone to take their games to the next level. It's about competition. You win tournaments, you win games by having competition in the team.

“I've said that so many times, and now, we've seen that, and I'm happy that the club have gone on to bring two strikers.

“I'm hearing that Nicolas Jackson wants to leave. I hope he stays, because I still think he has a massive part to play this season.

“Going forward in this football club, I've said it, he's a fantastic player, the quality that he brings to the club, I think we need that. I'll be very happy if he stays,” Mikel concluded.

Jackson's last game for Chelsea came in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Flamengo. The Blues have named their asking price for the striker as they're prepared to let him off their books.

🙏🏿 ‘I HOPE HE STAYS’

🗣️ @mikel_john_obi calls on @ChelseaFC to dip into the transfer market to replace an injured star…

And wants one jettisoned player to stay put. 👀

📺 Subscribe to the pod now: https://t.co/mREH9LI7Ke pic.twitter.com/wYAloGqU9p

— The Obi One Podcast (@obionepodcast) August 21, 2025