Chelsea’s thrilling 6-2 victory over Wolves at Molineux Stadium on Sunday was meant to be a joyous occasion. It was their first Premier League win of the season, and the match saw Noni Madueke score a stunning 14-minute hat-trick. However, celebrations were quickly overshadowed by a heated social media exchange between Chelsea’s striker Nicolas Jackson and club legend John Obi Mikel.
Chelsea Dazzle with 6-2 Win
The Blues showcased their dominance against Wolves with a fantastic performance. Jackson opened the scoring with the fastest Premier League goal by a Chelsea player since 2007, and moments later, he assisted Cole Palmer for the second. Madueke then took centre stage with his incredible hat-trick, praising Palmer’s impeccable passing: “The first one was a bit lucky. The second one was all Cole Palmer, two brilliant passes… I’m made up for the hat-trick but more made up we won the game.”
With their confidence on the rise, Chelsea are now focused on their upcoming Europa Conference League qualifying tie against Servette on Thursday. Madueke was full of praise for Palmer’s timing and vision on the pitch, cheekily adding, “He is cold, and I am fire, so it mixes well.”
Mikel’s Critique Sparks Backlash
However, the joy of victory was soured by a spat involving former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel. Prior to the game, Mikel had publicly criticised Jackson’s performance, particularly after Chelsea’s opening fixture against Manchester City. Speaking on Bein Sports, Mikel said, “You need a striker who knows how to hit the back of the net, and that’s what we don’t have… At Chelsea Football Club, we need a top striker who can get us a goal.”
Jackson, clearly stung by the comments, took to Instagram to defend himself. In a bold move, he tagged Mikel in an Instagram story and wrote, “Shut your mouth, don’t talk sh*t, we are killing ourselves for Africa.” The post quickly went viral, with fans split over Jackson’s reaction. Some believe he was right to stand up for himself, while others think the response was too aggressive.
Divided Opinions Among Chelsea Fans
This unexpected conflict has divided Chelsea’s fanbase. While most are celebrating the emphatic win, opinions differ when it comes to Mikel’s critique. Some supporters argue that the former Nigeria captain crossed the line, while others feel that Jackson should let his goals do the talking on the pitch.
Jackson, who netted 17 goals in 44 appearances last season, will undoubtedly look to silence his critics with even more goals as the season progresses. As for Mikel, his comments have added fuel to the fire, ensuring that all eyes will be on Chelsea’s next fixtures to see how Jackson responds.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
As the Blues prepare for their Europa Conference League match, the squad will hope to leave the controversy behind and focus on building momentum. With Jackson and Madueke both showing impressive form, Chelsea fans have reason to be optimistic about their upcoming games. Yet, the lingering tension between Jackson and Mikel will likely keep tongues wagging for some time.
Will Jackson’s performance on the pitch be enough to quiet his critics, or will this feud continue to simmer throughout the season? One thing’s for sure – it’s never a dull moment in the world of football.
