Palmer 'looks lost' without Jackson at Chelsea, says Mikel

John Obi Mikel believes that the absence of Nicolas Jackson within Chelsea's team has hindered the performances of Cole Palmer this season. 

Jackson is on loan with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich for the 2025-26 season and has netted eight goals and provided four assists in 30 appearances in all competitions. 

Chelsea have endured a difficult period of late, with their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City last Sunday leaving them in serious trouble of failing to qualify for the Champions League. 

And the Blues have been unable to turn to the talents of Palmer, who has 18 goal contributions (13 goals, five assists) this term in 33 outings across all competitions.

Palmer has created 42 chances in those outings, the fourth-highest tally in Chelsea's squad, and Mikel believes the absence of Jackson has affected him in the final third. 

"I actually think right now we are missing him. I can say that on the pod. What he gave us, no striker is providing right now," Mikel said on the Obi One Podcast.

"Joao Pedro is scoring goals, but look at what Nicolas Jackson offered in terms of high pressing and his telepathic connection with Cole Palmer. Palmer looks lost without him."

During the 2024-25 season, Palmer had 26 goal involvements, while his 15 goals were also a team-high for the Blues, who went on to win the Club World Cup in the summer.

Only Palmer and Christopher Nkunku (14) scored more times in all competitions than Jackson's 13, though the Senegal international was moved on in the transfer window. 

The Blues decided to bring in Liam Delap from Ipswich Town and Brighton's Joao Pedro, with the latter proving to be a huge success at Stamford Bridge in his debut season. 

No player has more goal involvements than Joao Pedro's 28 among Chelsea players this season, though he has failed to score in the Premier League since the start of March. 

Delap, meanwhile, has struggled to make his mark, netting just three times in 40 appearances in all competitions, though only 17 of those outings have been from the start. 

"Nobody is giving us that link-up play. Was he scoring enough? Maybe not," Mikel added. "But was he giving his all for the club? Absolutely.

"My only issue was competition. I felt he wasn't patient enough to stay and fight for his place.

"If he were here now, he would be the main man because he is certainly better than Liam Delap, who still needs to improve his game."