Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has called on his former club to strengthen their squad by signing a top striker and goalkeeper if they want to challenge for the Premier League title under Enzo Maresca.

Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel was confident that Chelsea could compete for the league, but insisted that adding key reinforcements is a “no-brainer.”

“I think we can, I think we can. Listen, we know where we have to strengthen, everybody knows. It’s a no-brainer where we have to strengthen, everybody knows. If we do that, if we do that, with the squad that we have right now… get another top, top striker. Again, to help, to help Nicolas Jackson, to help Nicolas Jackson. Get another top, top striker.”

With Nicolas Jackson currently injured, Chelsea have lacked a clinical presence in front of goal. Mikel believes healthy competition is necessary to push Jackson and improve Chelsea’s attacking output.

“Now he’s injured, we’re struggling to score goals. Healthy competition, that’s what we’ve talked about here on this podcast. We’ve never criticised, a healthy competition is so important. If we get another top, top striker, create a healthy competition between the two strikers, listen mate, we will be competing to win the league.”

The former Chelsea midfielder also stressed the importance of upgrading the goalkeeper position, pointing out that every Premier League-winning team has had a reliable shot-stopper.

“And another top goalkeeper because every team that wins the Premier League has one.”

Chelsea’s current No.1, Robert Sánchez, has been under scrutiny after several costly mistakes, with Mark Schwarzer recently criticising his decision-making in the Blues’ 1-0 FA Cup win over Leicester City.

As Chelsea prepare for a crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal, Mikel’s comments add weight to ongoing discussions about squad improvements. With title ambitions still on the horizon, Maresca and the Chelsea board may need to act in the summer to bring in the reinforcements Mikel believes are crucial.