John Obi Mikel has weighed in on Chelsea’s recent struggles, suggesting that in years past, such a run of form would have cost the manager his job.

Enzo Maresca’s early tenure at Stamford Bridge promised much, with whispers of an unexpected Premier League title challenge. However, a dismal run of just two wins in nine league games has seen that optimism fade rapidly. Friday night’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton, which Maresca himself labeled the worst performance under his watch, has left Chelsea languishing in sixth place.

Reflecting on the club’s past standards, Mikel didn’t hold back on his Obi One podcast.

“That would have been a crisis back in the day,” the former Chelsea midfielder said. “The helicopter would have landed by now, surely would have landed by now. And whoever is in charge would have been gone. There’s no two ways about it.”

Despite his blunt assessment, Mikel clarified that he is not calling for Maresca’s dismissal. Instead, he believes Chelsea’s problems stem from poor recruitment decisions, particularly the failure to reinforce key positions.

Mikel, who was involved in discussions last summer to bring Victor Osimhen to Stamford Bridge, maintains that Chelsea’s inability to sign a proven striker has been costly.

“You can talk about it—the recruitment process that I’ve been talking about the whole time,” Mikel said. “Paul Winstanley, I know the guy. Smart guy, clever guy. But I just think that the recruitment process in the summer wasn’t good enough.”

Mikel dismissed claims that his push for Osimhen was based on personal bias. “A lot of Chelsea fans said, ‘No, no, you just want Victor Osimhen at the club because he’s your friend.’ No, he’s not. We needed a striker. We needed another goalkeeper, another top goalkeeper.”

Chelsea’s attacking struggles have been evident, with inconsistency in front of goal and persistent injuries hampering their progress. Maresca, meanwhile, has urged patience, emphasizing the long-term nature of the club’s project. But with expectations high, frustrations are mounting among both fans and former players.

If Chelsea’s form does not improve soon, Maresca may find himself facing a reality that Mikel believes would have been inevitable in past eras—a ruthless Chelsea hierarchy running out of patience.