'Shots fired' - Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel defends his Nicolas Jackson criticism after Blues striker issues stunning 'shut your mouth' message

After Chelsea's 2-0 loss to Manchester City, the former Blues midfielder said on striker Jackson: "You need a striker who knows how to hit a ball back in the back of the net and that's what we don't have. I know I talk so much about him and sometimes I sound like I disrespect him. I don't disrespect him. I think at Chelsea Football Club we need a top striker who can get us a goal."

After scoring and bagging an assist in Chelsea's 6-2 win at Wolves on Sunday, the Senegal international snapped back at the ex-player, telling him: "Shut your mouth". But Obi Mikel stood by his position as he responded.

In response to Jackson's snappy retort, he said (via talkSPORT): “Shots fired.

“I really like the guy. There’s something there as a football player, but he’s still raw. The finishing part of his game needs to be worked on. I haven’t said he’s a bad player at all. I’ve just said his finishing quality is not there yet. He’s a young boy. All I said was he needs an experienced striker to come into the football club to help him. To help him improve and get better. We can all see the shift he puts in week in, week out. He runs around and puts himself in good positions. The finishing hasn’t been that great. That’s the only thing I have said. He’s still young and needs someone to come in and help him. If he scores every week and tells me to shut up I’ll take that.”

While Jackson scored 14 Premier League goals in his debut campaign for Chelsea last season, fans expected more from the forward. If the Blues are to challenge for trophies, they are going to need plenty of goals from the 23-year-old and his team-mates this term. It also remains to be seen if he will continue to lead Chelsea's attack as they have been repeatedly linked with Napoli forward Victor Osimhen.

Jackson's Chelsea side return to action on Thursday night in the second leg of their Conference League play-off tie against Servette, after winning the first leg 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last week.