Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has urged the club’s supporters to remain patient with manager Xabi Alonso despite their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, insisting the Spaniard deserves time to establish his project.
Mikel acknowledged the frustration among Chelsea fans after their bitter rivals secured a rare Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge, but believes the team’s long-term prospects under Alonso remain encouraging.
“I think we need to give him time. I think what he’s trying to build with this squad is going to be absolutely brilliant going forward. We just need to give him time.”
John Obi Mikel, Former Chelsea Midfielder
The defeat was particularly painful for Chelsea given the historical significance of the rivalry, with Tottenham recording only their second league victory away against the Blues in 36 years.
Spurs delivered a commanding performance to claim all three points, exposing Chelsea’s shortcomings in intensity, midfield control and attacking cohesion. The result left Mikel disappointed with his former club’s display, although he maintained that one poor performance should not determine Alonso’s future.
Mikel, who spent approximately a decade at Chelsea and won numerous trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge, believes the club must assess the manager’s progress over the course of the season rather than react hastily to an isolated setback.
Mikel Backs Alonso’s Long-Term Vision
The former Nigeria international understands why Chelsea supporters were upset by the result, particularly because of the rivalry between the two London clubs and the Blues’ historical dominance in the fixture.
However, he cautioned against allowing the disappointment to overshadow the progress he believes Alonso can make with the squad.
“It’s a one result. It’s a shit result, yes. But what I’ve seen and the way I see this team going with Xabi Alonso, I think we’ll have a good season ahead of us.”
John Obi Mikel, Former Chelsea Midfielder
Mikel also argued that Chelsea’s final league position should play a decisive role in determining whether Alonso receives further backing next season. “If we end up in the top four or top five, then I’ll probably say, yes, that’s a big achievement so let’s give him next season,” he stated.
However, his position was not an unconditional endorsement of the manager. Mikel acknowledged that Chelsea would need to reconsider their approach if results deteriorated significantly and the team found itself struggling near the relegation zone.
For the former midfielder, patience must be accompanied by progress, with the remainder of the campaign providing a clearer indication of whether Alonso’s methods are producing the desired results.
Tottenham Expose Chelsea’s Tactical Weaknesses
Despite defending Alonso against calls for his dismissal, Mikel was critical of Chelsea’s performance against Tottenham, arguing that the home side failed to demonstrate the aggression and determination expected in such a fiercely contested fixture.
He praised Spurs for their intensity, confidence and willingness to impose themselves on the game, qualities he felt were conspicuously absent from Chelsea’s display.“From the word go, from the first whistle to the last whistle, they were really, really up for it,” Mikel said of Tottenham.
Mikel was particularly concerned by Tottenham’s influence in midfield, where he felt Chelsea struggled to contain their opponents and dictate the tempo.
He argued that Alonso should have recognised the imbalance earlier and made tactical adjustments to prevent Spurs from controlling the contest.
The former Chelsea player also pointed to the absence of João Pedro as a possible factor in the hosts’ attacking struggles, suggesting that the team lacked the connection between its forward players without the Brazilian available.
He further questioned the timing of Alonso’s decision to introduce striker Danny Welbeck, believing the forward could have been brought on earlier to give Chelsea more attacking impetus.
Nevertheless, Mikel expects the defeat to provide valuable lessons for both the manager and his players.
Beyond the tactical shortcomings, Mikel expressed disappointment at how comfortably Tottenham played at Stamford Bridge, arguing that Chelsea failed to match the visitors’ confidence and freedom on the ball.
“Clumsy” Palmer Red Card
He also discussed Cole Palmer’s disciplinary incidents during the game, describing one challenge as clumsy while suggesting the England international needed to exercise greater caution, particularly when already on a yellow card.
Mikel stopped short of portraying Palmer as a dirty player, instead viewing the incidents as part of the learning process for a young footballer.
The former midfielder believes Chelsea must use the setback as motivation to improve rather than allow it to undermine their confidence in Alonso’s leadership. “ I like the manager and I think he will bring back the success at Chelsea Football Club,” he acknowledged.
However, Mikel stressed that the Spaniard must also learn from the defeat and address the tactical shortcomings that allowed Tottenham to dominate.
For a club accustomed to competing for major honours, the response to such a damaging home defeat will be important. Mikel’s message is that Chelsea should resist knee-jerk decisions, but Alonso must demonstrate that the team can learn from its mistakes and deliver the results expected at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea Must Be Ready For Manchester United Visit
Chelsea will have a chance to respond when Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 31.
Manchester United are enduring a torrid start to the season and are winless in their last eight games in all competition. They lost 3-0 to AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
Chelsea will relish to get back to winning ways especially against a struggling United side but they’ll have to first play Liverpool in the last 16 in the EFL Carabao Cup at Anfield on Wednesday.
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