Recruited for €100 million last January, the Ukrainian winger of the Blues scored his first goal with the Blues before the international break. Enough to really launch it?
January 15, 2023, Chelsea announce the arrival of Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk for 70 million euros, plus 30 in the form of a bonus. Star recruit of the winter transfer window, the Ukrainian hope (22 years old) almost never wore the Blues jersey. The fault lies with Arsenal, who had taken a lead in this matter until reaching an agreement with the player. The latter was very close to signing with the Gunners before… finally joining London’s neighbor, “much more serious” in the progress of the negotiations according to Shakhtar general director Sergei Palkin.
Nine months later, the Mudryk phenomenon will face Arsenal this Saturday (6:30 p.m.) at Stamford Bridge for the 9th day of the Premier League. This 208th London derby in history is worth a lot, especially for Chelsea (11th), engaged in a rise in the standings for several weeks. After a completely failed start to the season – in line with the catastrophic 2022-23 financial year – Mauricio Pochettino’s team has had three consecutive successes (Brighton, Fulham and Burnley). A positive and welcome series that the Argentine coach hopes to continue against Mikel Arteta’s men, leaders of the championship tied with the third cador of the English capital, Tottenham. To finally take off this year, the Blues need a benchmark victory in front of a member of the “Big 6”. They will rely in particular on Mudryk, also looking for a first burst of brilliance in the blue jersey.
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The counters are unlocked
If the Ukrainian international signed an eight-year contract with the 2021 European champion, football knows no patience. His lack of performance at the start quickly gave rise to the first criticisms. In the midst of the slump, number 10 went through the end of last season like a ghost (15 games, 0 goals and 2 assists), counting on the club’s new turnaround and the appointment of Pochettino to shine. But a physical problem slowed him down in August while his teammates, most of them recruited this summer (Caicedo, Jackson, Disasi, etc.), tried to limit the damage. Without shining, Chelsea finally started winning again between the two international breaks, a revival of form which coincides with the burst of pride of the highly anticipated Mudryk.
On October 2, he opened his goal counter on the pitch at Fulham (2-0), five days after a convincing performance in the League Cup against Brighton (1-0). “The problem with trust is that you can’t buy it in the supermarket, explained his trainer Pochettino at the end of September. It’s just a matter of time. It takes that little trigger to create confidence and start believing in yourself.”
Brilliant with Ukraine
Did the Ukrainian find this “little trigger” ? All of Stamford Bridge is just waiting for the explosion of his talent, seen only in a few sequences. Playing “false foot” on his left side, the right-hander took advantage of his international stay to shine and show his full technical range. In Malta on Tuesday evening, he offered his first achievement with Ukraine A, victorious 3-1 and well placed for qualification for Euro 2024. Dribbling behind the support leg, acceleration then heavy strike skylight, the executioner of the Bleuets during the Euro Espoirs has signed his birth certificate within a selection which makes him his next headliner. Mudryk must now take on a new dimension with Chelsea. As a starter or luxury joker, he should have the opportunity on Saturday to challenge the Arsenal defense. What could be better than a derby, at home, to (finally) make an impression and launch your London adventure?
