According to one of his international teammates, Mykhailo Mudryk have the innate capacity to secure the Ballon d’Or in the future, if he dedicates himself to Chelsea.
Mudryk has faced challenges with consistency since his transfer to Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, for a sum potentially totalling £87 million. Chelsea outbid Arsenal to get the winger, convinced they had secured one of the premier players globally; nevertheless, he has failed to provide significant returns on that investment.
His tally of seven goals and five assists in 62 games illustrates a player who has not succeeded in influencing the final third. Mudryk’s experience of playing under five distinct managers, including temporary leaders Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard, has undoubtedly hindered his development, however there is optimism that Enzo Maresca will optimise his performance.
Mudryk has significant competition for wing positions at Chelsea, who acquired Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, and Jadon Sancho during the summer transfer window. However, the perspective of his former Shakhtar and current Ukraine teammate Georgiy Sudakov should instill optimism in Chelsea supporters that the finest performances from Mudryk are yet to be realised.
“Mykhailo is an exceptional player; he possesses limitless potential and has the capability to secure the Ballon d’Or due to his attributes,” Sudakov stated to The Guardian in August. “However, all matters are contingent solely upon him.” I am confident he will demonstrate his finest attributes. Ukraine exemplifies exceptional talent and serves as an admirable model for emulation.
Mudryk must demonstrate his capabilities to Maresca, who publicly attacked him after substituting him at halftime during the 6-2 defeat of Wolves, where teammate Noni Madueke netted a hat-trick. When questioned about Mudryk’s substitution at half-time, the Chelsea manager said curtly: “Because I was not satisfied.”
At times, we can handle some circumstances more effectively. He exerted much effort off the ball; but, I anticipate a higher level of excellence from Misha when in possession. He experienced some positive moments today, but the objective was to modify the situation and provide Pedro with some playing time.
The half-time replacement followed yet another lacklustre performance in the initial leg of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League play-off against Servette. With Madueke, Neto, Felix, Sancho, Christopher Nkunku, and Cole Palmer available, Maresca may readily exclude Mudryk from the lineup in the forthcoming weeks.
The £54 million acquisition of Neto serves as a cautionary indicator for Mudryk, as former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley provided a harsh evaluation of both players to ESPN following the Wolves victory. “Mykhailo Mudryk will merely be a futile investment as a starter,” he asserted. Pedro Neto will participate in that location. He arrived, but he will participate. Mudryk lacks sufficient consistency.
