'What he gave us' – John Obi Mikel names surprise player Chelsea are 'missing' this season

John Obi Mikel has seemingly changed his opinion on Nicolas Jackson and believes Chelsea are missing the Senegal international.

Jackson joined Bayern Munich on a season long loan on deadline day last summer, but things haven’t exactly gone to plan in Germany.

The Senegalese has played second fiddle to the likes of Harry Kane and Luis Diaz for the majority of the season, and Bayern’s obligation to buy won’t be triggered.

John Obi Mikel claims Chelsea miss Nicolas Jackson

Jackson has scored eight goals and registered four assists in 27 appearances in all competitions, although just 11 of those have been starts.

The 24-year-old will return to Chelsea at the end of the season, and reportedly a return to the first team squad hasn’t been entirely ruled out.

Jackson has been linked with a move to AC Milan, but with Emmanuel Emegha arriving from Strasbourg, it’s hard to see where he would fit in unless Liam Delap departed.

Given Delap’s struggles, there’s been a lot of talk around Jackson, and Mikel, who’s previously been very critical believes the Blues miss him.

“We are missing Nicolas Jackson,” he told The Obi One Podcast.

“What he gave us, no striker has given us. Yes, we are missing Jackson.”