Former Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi has described his criticism of Nicholas Jackson as constructive.

Mikel and Jackson have been at each other’s throats after the former midfielder slammed the Senegalese international for wasting good scoring opportunities against Manchester City in Chelsea’s Premier League opener.

The 23-year-old missed two goalscoring opportunities and had a goal ruled out as the Premier League title holders beat the Blues 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

In his post-match analysis, Mikel described Jackson as a striker who cannot shoot the ball, urging the Blues hierarchy to sign a more clinical centre forward.

Jackson responded to the criticism by scoring in Chelsea’s 6-2 victory away at Wolves in their next game and took to social media to tell Mikel Obi to “shut up.”

He also found the back of the net against Crystal Palace in their subsequent fixture.

Mikel has, however, clarified his initial remarks, insisting that he never called the former Villarreal forward a bad player, but rather that he needs to work on his finishing.

“I’ve always said what I’ve said about Nicolas Jackson. He is a good player; there is not once I have ever said he is a bad player,” the former Chelsea midfielder told beIN Sports.

“The only criticism is his finishing needs to be much better. In terms of giving us what we want, being in the right place at the right time, he does for the team.”

“It’s not coming from a bad place; it’s really constructive criticism. But he doesn’t see it that way. That’s why when he scored, he told me to shut up!”