EPL

John Mikel Obi hails Enzo Maresca as Chelsea secure Champions League return

Chelsea - Mikel Obi

Former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfield legend John Mikel Obi has heaped praise on manager Enzo Maresca for guiding the Blues back to the UEFA Champions League after a dramatic Premier League campaign.

Chelsea, who finished a disappointing sixth last season under Mauricio Pochettino—only securing a UEFA Conference League spot—have now defied expectations by clinching a top-four finish this term.

A hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on the final day sealed their Champions League return, capping off a remarkable turnaround under Maresca’s leadership.

READ MORE: Chiamaka Nnadozie’s penalty heroics earns Paris FC historic Coupe de France trophy

Mikel, a two-time Europa League winner with Chelsea, credited the entire squad and coaching staff for their resilience against a spirited Forest side that exceeded expectations this season.

“It was a must-win game, and the boys delivered,” Mikel said on his Obi One Podcast. “Credit to the players, the manager, and everyone involved. For me, this is an achievement—this is success. We’ve had a great season, and now we just need to finish it strongly in the Conference League final. Whether we win or lose, it’s still been a fantastic campaign.”

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner reserved special praise for Maresca, who took charge of a young and evolving squad. “He’s done an incredible job with such a young team. To qualify for the Champions League is a massive achievement, and I’m sure the board recognizes this as a successful season.”

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!

Looking ahead, Mikel emphasised the need for squad reinforcement to compete on multiple fronts next season. “We have to build from here. The Champions League will be tough, but for a club like Chelsea, the sky’s the limit. The board knows where we need to strengthen, and we must be ready for all competitions.”

Chelsea have a chance to cap off their season with silverware as they face Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final. A victory would further validate Maresca’s impact and set the stage for an exciting new chapter at Stamford Bridge.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

To Top