Mikel backs struggling Blues to bounce back

Since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2017, the 36-year-old made a return to the club for the first time on Saturday as Chelsea legends beat their Bayern Munich counterparts 4-0 during a novelty match. Michael Essien, John Terry, Gary Cahill, and Tiago Mended scored goals for Chelsea.

After the game, Mikel, who won two Premier League titles with the club in 2009/10 and 2014/15 backed Mauricio Pochettino’s side to bounce back.

“It’s always nice to come back, I haven’t been back since I left, so it’s always nice to come back to see the fans and also play on this pitch. It was like yesterday; it just brings back the memories,” Mikel said via talkSPORT.”

“The need to bring us back,” he joked.

“They will be fine. I think the club is obviously going through a massive transition so we need to give them time. A lot of good and fantastic young players, we need to give them time to make sure they get the time to work and gel together as a team. Once we are able to do that, I think we would be back unbeaten again,” Mikel said.

The 36-year-old who called time on his football career in 2022 was however among the players who left a big impression during the game with former captain, Terry, teasing him to join a Saudi club.

Mikel started the game and was smart with his movement and crisp with his passes, showing little signs that he has retired.

The Nigerian featured for Chelsea between 2006 and 2017, making 249 appearances and scoring one goal. He won 11 titles with the Blues.