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Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has strongly criticised the club’s manager, Enzo Maresca, over his decision-making during matches.
Chelsea suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Sunderland on Sunday, dropping to ninth in the Premier League table.
Alejandro Garnacho put Chelsea ahead after just four minutes, but Sunderland fought back through Wilson Isidor and secured victory with a late goal from Chemsdine Talbi.
While Chelsea were chasing a winner, Maresca substituted Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto in the closing stages of the match.
The former midfielder said the Italian manager would be disappointed with himself for taking off experienced attackers for less experienced players.
“I think the manager will be very disappointed with how we lost the game,” Mikel told the Obi One Podcast.
“I’ve never been critical of Enzo Maresca, I’m a big fan of his. But I just thought that when we were chasing that game, to win that game when it was 1-1, at home, you can’t take your best players out.
“You can’t substitute your best players. It doesn’t matter that you’re not playing so great.
“Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto, they were not playing so well. But you leave those players on the pitch and they will find a way to create chances, they will find a way to win that game.
“I just thought for him to substitute Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto out, after that substitution it was just flat, absolutely flat. There was nothing, we just couldn’t offer anything.
“I loved the players he brought onto the pitch. He left Estevao and he brought in Jamie Gittens and Tyrique George as well.
“But when you look at that front three, they are very young. They can’t win you those kind of games where you’re chasing the game and it’s tight, you’re trying to win, you’re trying to create something, the fans are getting frustrated as well.
“When you’re bringing off those players and there’s a lot of inexperience as well coming into the game, I just think it will take a little bit of time to get into the game.
“Bring them in when we’re winning the game, when there’s less pressure. Don’t bring those young players in when we’re chasing the game and it’s tight.”
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixture is away to Tottenham Hotspur, following their Carabao Cup clash against Wolves on Wednesday.
Mikel blasts Chelsea boss Maresca over poor substitutions in Sunderland defeat
