Legendary Nigerian footballer Mikel Obi has praised Chelsea and Senegalese striker Nicholas Jackson for his outstanding performance in the 2024/2025 English Premier League season.
Obi noted that Jackson's recent goal-scoring record has silenced critics and former players who doubted him before the season started.
The former Nigeria captain acknowledged that Jackson's significantly improved form has made it impossible for him to criticize the player any longer.
Obi mentioned that the critiques from himself and other pundits have motivated Jackson to enhance his performance and continue scoring.
“If the players are watching or listening to this and taking what we say on board, then that’s what I want. Jackson wants the best for the club. I have said time and time again, there is a player there, there is a fantastic player there. And it’s amazing to see he’s taking what I’m saying on board to improve. My God, the way he scored the two goals is absolutely fantastic.
"Jackson is keeping me quiet and shutting me up. I came out and said what everybody wanted to say and nobody could say it. And now he’s shutting not only me up, he’s shutting everybody up,” he said during the Obionepodcast.
Jackson has been in incredible form for Chelsea, scoring four goals and making two assists in five Premier League appearances.
He was initially criticized for poor finishing, which had cost the club valuable points early in the season.
Read the tweets below:
John Obi Mikel on Jackson:
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) September 23, 2024
🎙 "If the players are watching or listening to this and taking what we say on board, then that's what I want. Jackson wants the best for the club.
I have said time and time again, there is a player there, there is a fantastic player there. And it's… pic.twitter.com/X9tDAk4x4N
🎙️Mikel Obi: "Jackson is keeping me quiet and shutting me up.
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) September 23, 2024
I came out and said what everybody wanted to say and nobody could say it. And now he's shutting not only me up, he's shutting everybody up."
~ @obionepodcast pic.twitter.com/YTp7TaK7Aq
SB/EK
