John Obi Mikel expressed disappointment with the performances of Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke following Arsenal's defeat in the UEFA Champions League final.

Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has criticised Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke following Arsenal’s defeat in the UEFA Champions League final, questioning their performances and reflecting on their previous comments about Chelsea.

Speaking after the final, Mikel suggested that both players had been eager to prove themselves after leaving Stamford Bridge but ultimately fell short on one of football’s biggest stages.

The former Nigerian international specifically questioned Madueke’s influence during the match, referencing a previous incident in which the winger was involved in a dispute over penalty-taking responsibilities while at Chelsea.

Mikel also revisited comments attributed to Havertz regarding the significance of winning the Champions League with Arsenal compared to his success at Chelsea.

According to Mikel, Chelsea provided Havertz with the defining moment of his career when he scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, securing the club’s second European crown.

He argued that both Havertz and Madueke appeared determined to demonstrate that their futures lay beyond Chelsea but suggested that their achievements since leaving the club have not matched the success they enjoyed in West London.

Mikel maintained that football often has a way of putting careers into perspective, noting that success at the highest level is ultimately measured by trophies and achievements rather than public statements or personal ambitions.

He added that while some players leave Chelsea and flourish elsewhere, others spend years attempting to replicate the standards and accomplishments they previously experienced at the club.

The former Super Eagles captain concluded that the Champions League remains the ultimate benchmark in European football, where only results matter and history remembers those who lift the trophy.