John Obi Mikel wants Boehly to emulate Abramovich by 'hiring and firing' coaches

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel insisted that Todd Boehly should follow in the footsteps of Roman Abramovich and move on from Mauricio Pochettino if results do not improve.

Chelsea are currently ninth in the table but have won their last three league games.

‘We've given them time now. it’s been half a year. Now it's time to win. In Chelsea, there's no time. You have to win - that's our motto,’ Mikel told Sky Sports at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London.

'If you don't win, Roman gets you out of the door and gets someone else. So I think that should be the new owner's way of thinking - you have to win. If you don't win, what's the point of being at Chelsea?

'The excuse of trying to review is done. So now we have to win games, play better, improve, and try to compete.

'This year, knock it on the head now. Next year we need to be up there,’ the Nigerian added.

Mikel, 36, played for Chelsea between 2006 and 2017, during a period where eight different managers arrived and departed at Stamford Bridge but admitted that with such a young side, Chelsea still needs more investment and notably, a striker.

'We have to keep building the team. Everybody says we've spent a lot of money and we have.

'We've bought a lot of good players and they need time to improve, and get better as a team. I think Poch is a really good manager. He does well with young players and with the team,’ said Mikel.

And Mikel was adamant that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen could be the man to solve Chelsea’s problems.

The Nigerian striker scored 31 goals in all competitions last season as Napoli won the Serie A.