Striker Liam Delap was snapped up by Chelsea but John Obi Mikel has claimed the club's fans wanted to sign Victor Osimhen instead.
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Mikel disappointed by Osimhen failureChelsea signed Delap insteadFormer midfielder backs youngster to succeedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel has claimed the club's fans were left disappointed by the decision to sign Delap instead of Osimhen. The young English striker made his Blues debut during the 2-0 victory over LAFC in the Club World Cup, that deal coming after years of transfer links with Osimhen, who led Napoli to the 2022-23 Serie A title and spent the past season scoring goals for fun while on loan with Galatasaray.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Delap arrived for a £30m transfer fee after scoring 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich. A handful of appearances for former club Manchester City aside, that was his first bit of exposure to top-flight football, whereas 26-year-old Osimhen was seen by some fans as the more reliable option thanks to his previous success in Italy, France and Turkey.
WHAT MIKEL SAID
Speaking during coverage of the victory over LAFC, Mikel said: "We need someone to come in, score goals and finish those chances. Obviously, he [Delap] isn't the guy the fans wanted. We know who the fans wanted. The fans wanted Victor Osimhen to come to the club but he didn't.
"Obviously the club decided to go with Delap. He's young, he's gonna get better. Hopefully he hits the ground running and then he's gonna quieten those doubters. I wish him well, I hope he succeeds at this club. I think he can. The runs I saw today, running behind defenders, I think he can be the guy to finish those chances.
"But, Nic Jackson, let's not forget, I still think he will be the main man. He just needs to work on his finishing. I still think he's gonna be the guy to start the season.
"During the season, if he's not scoring then Delap gets his opportunity. Healthy competition is really important."
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Delap set up Chelsea's second goal against LAFC and will hope his second-half cameo is enough to warrant a place in Enzo Maresca's starting XI when they take on Flamengo in their second Club World Cup game on Friday.
