Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has launched a scathing attack on Jadon Sancho, accusing the winger of "deceiving" the club following his summer loan move from Manchester United.
The 24-year-old has managed just two goals in his last 16 Premier League appearances, with his form dramatically declining since a promising start at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel expressed his frustration with Sancho's performances, suggesting the England international has reverted to the disappointing displays that characterised his time at Old Trafford.
The criticism comes after Chelsea's recent 3-0 defeat to Brighton, which has left the Blues outside the top four.
Jadon Sancho has been out of form recently for Chelsea
PA
Sancho had initially shown promise after arriving at Chelsea, notching up four assists in his first three league appearances under Enzo Maresca.
The early performances suggested the former Borussia Dortmund star might recapture the form that led to his £73 million move to Manchester United in 2021.
However, like many within Chelsea's squad, Sancho's form has dipped significantly over recent months.
The winger, who joined on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy for £25 million next summer, has managed just one assist alongside his two goals in his last 16 league outings.
His struggles mirror the team's broader decline, with Chelsea winning just two of their last nine Premier League matches.
"Jadon Sancho, he's come on, and he's deceived us with a couple of games," Mikel said.
"We thought, 'Oh, f***ing hell, now we're getting the Jadon Sancho from Dortmund'. But he's gone again."
The former Blues midfielder was particularly critical of Sancho's current playing style.
"He's disappeared off the grid. He takes the ball. He doesn't go past people any more," Mikel added.
Jadon Sancho has been accused of 'deceiving' Chelsea
PA
"He doesn't create chances anymore. He doesn't help the team as much as he should be."
His comments came after observing Sancho's performance in the Brighton defeat, where he noted there was "no character" and "no intensity" from the winger.
Mikel's criticism extended beyond Sancho's individual performances to Chelsea's broader recruitment strategy.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Jadon Sancho has scored just twice in the Premier League this season
Reuters
"For me, the recruitment process has been really, really poor," the former midfielder stated, particularly highlighting the club's failure to secure adequate striker options.
He demanded more from Sancho, insisting the winger needs to "wake the f*** up" to meet the demands of English football.
"The Premier League is the toughest league in the world. If you don't do it here..." Mikel warned.
With Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke currently sidelined through injury, the pressure is mounting on Sancho to deliver as Chelsea prepare to face Aston Villa on Saturday.
