Mikel Questions Chelsea’s Gamble on Delap Over Proven Star Osimhen
Jon Obi Mikel Voices Doubts as Chelsea Choose Liam Delap Over “Finished Article” Victor Osimhen
As Chelsea look to rebuild under new manager Enzo Maresca, their latest signing has already sparked a debate. The Blues have triggered a £30 million release clause to bring in Liam Delap from relegated Ipswich Town, handing the 22-year-old striker a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge. While some see this as a bold step toward future success, not everyone is convinced—especially not former Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel.
The Nigerian club legend, who won the Premier League and Champions League during his decade-long stay in west London, didn’t hold back when asked about the club’s decision to invest in Delap rather than pushing for Napoli forward Victor Osimhen—a name long linked with a Premier League switch.
In a candid chat with The Standard, Mikel expressed admiration for Delap’s work ethic and potential, but questioned whether the young Englishman has what it takes to thrive under the pressure of Chelsea’s expectations. For Mikel, who knows all too well what it takes to win silverware at Stamford Bridge, the answer lies in proven quality—and he believes Osimhen fits that bill far better.
“Is He Ready for Chelsea?” – Mikel Questions Delap’s Readiness
“Liam Delap is a good young striker, he works his socks off,” Mikel began. “But is he a proven goalscorer in the Premier League? Can he do it at a big club like Chelsea? That’s the question.”
Those questions might sting for Delap, who managed to hit double digits—12 goals—in the top flight last season despite Ipswich’s relegation. It’s no small feat, especially for a player still developing. But for a club like Chelsea, Mikel suggests, potential alone isn’t always enough.
Delap will be expected to complement or challenge Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea’s current leading man up front, as the club looks to re-establish itself among England’s elite. Mikel believes that kind of internal competition is important, but he stops short of saying Delap is the right man for the job—at least not yet.
“What we need as a team is healthy competition,” he said. “You can’t win the Premier League or Champions League with just one striker. We’ve only had Nicolas Jackson. Now, he and Delap will push each other. I hope we’ll see the best of both of them at the Club World Cup.”
Mikel: “Chelsea’s Culture Is About Winning Now, Not Later”
While Mikel acknowledges the logic behind signing a young player with potential, he made it clear that Chelsea’s legacy demands instant results—especially when it comes to goal-scorers.
“If you want somebody to evolve over the next two, three, four years, then that also makes sense,” he said. “But Chelsea Football Club’s culture is winning, straight away. If you want to win, you have to bring in a Victor Osimhen.”
It’s not the first time Osimhen’s name has been mentioned in relation to Chelsea. The Napoli striker has consistently been one of the most talked-about transfer targets in Europe over the last two seasons, especially after firing his club to the Serie A title in 2023. However, his hefty wage demands and Napoli’s asking price have cooled interest from some Premier League clubs, with Manchester United reportedly still in the race.
Even so, Mikel believes Chelsea should have been willing to make the financial sacrifice if they truly wanted to challenge at the top again.
“That’s how you win trophies,” he added. “Because [Osimhen] will get you goals. Delap is a great young striker, but you have to wait and see if he’ll do it at a big club like Chelsea.”
From Italy to Stamford Bridge? What Might Have Been with Osimhen
Galatasaray A.S. v Tottenham Hotspur – UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 Osimhen
For Mikel and many Chelsea supporters, Osimhen represented the kind of ready-made solution that could have transformed the club’s frontline overnight. At 25, the Nigerian has already proven himself in France and Italy, and has long expressed interest in playing in the Premier League.
With the likes of Romelu Lukaku on his way out and Chelsea still lacking a dependable 20-goal-a-season forward, Osimhen would have ticked every box. Mikel referenced the forward’s success not only in Serie A but also in Turkey earlier in his career, highlighting the breadth of his experience across European football.
“You want someone who’s done it in Italy, in Turkey, and could come here and do it for the club straight away,” he said.
Delap’s Big Chance Comes Quickly
Despite the criticisms and what-ifs, Mikel made it clear he holds no grudge against Delap personally. In fact, he hopes the young striker proves everyone wrong.
“I hope he does well,” Mikel smiled. “But the fans and me, we would have liked to see a proven goalscorer.”
Delap will get his first real chance to impress sooner than most new signings. Chelsea are due to fly to the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup, where they’ll open their campaign against MLS champions LAFC on June 16. The tournament will serve as both a proving ground for Delap and a litmus test for Maresca’s early tactics.
If the 22-year-old can deliver on the international stage and find the net in meaningful moments, it might go a long way toward silencing early doubters—including a certain Champions League-winning midfielder.
Can Chelsea Afford to Wait?
There’s no denying that Chelsea are in the midst of a long-term project under sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. The club has invested heavily in young talent over the past few transfer windows, betting on development rather than quick fixes. Delap fits that mold perfectly.
But at the same time, Chelsea supporters—and former players like Mikel—have been conditioned to expect immediate success. Under Roman Abramovich, there was no room for multi-year experiments. Trophies were the measure of progress. And while the club’s ownership and leadership have shifted, the culture of expectation still lingers around Stamford Bridge.
Only time will tell if Delap proves to be the right choice. But as the new season looms and Chelsea fans wait for their team to once again compete at the very top, Mikel’s words echo the sentiment of many: potential is exciting, but proven quality still wins you trophies.
There are no comments yet. Be the first to comment!