From emerging as a wonderkid in 2022 to becoming surplus to requirements in 2024, Mudryk’s Chelsea career has witnessed a landslide in less than three years.
Despite enduring a poor start to the 22/23 season, Chelsea fans buzzed with excitement during the winter transfer window as reports emerged that the club was close to beating London rivals Arsenal to the signing of Ukraine’s wonderkid, Mykhailo Mudryk.
His electrifying performances in the Champions League combined with his exciting debut against Liverpool dispelled the gloom of despair amongst the fanbase as the ‘face of the project’ was on the path to stardom.
Mudryk made 7 starts in 15 appearances, registering 2 assists in the league.
Inconsistent displays became regular but everyone held onto his cameo at Anfield, giving him benefit of the doubt due to the situation in Ukraine and lack of match conditioning to start regularly.
This wasn’t the case when newly-appointed manager, Mauricio Pochettino preferred Chilwell (a left-back) over him at the start of the 23/24 season.
Whether tactical or not, it was never a good decision since Chilwell himself wasn’t a good fit for the role but whatever the manager saw in training to make that decision is gradually coming to light under Enzo Maresca and how Chelsea have conducted their 24/25 summer transfer business in attack.
Mudryk’s talent is undeniable and he’s shown glimpses of that but like the inscription on his neck (TALENT AIN’T ENOUGH), Mudryk’s developmental trajectory has stagnated for 2 years unlike his teammates especially Noni Madueke who wasn’t given a chance by majority of the fans.
After Pochettino’s exit, fans hoped for a revival under Enzo Maresca but with the acquisition of Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho from Wolves and Manchester United respectively, there are signs that Chelsea’s hierarchy have dashed hopes of ‘Misha’ making progress in the London-based outfit.
What makes it worse is that he’s not assured of a place from the bench in important games anymore following Maresca’s comments about bringing on Neto for Sancho despite stating earlier that Sancho and Mudryk are competing for the left wing spot.
Last season, Mudryk and Sterling didn’t offer enough support to their left-back counterparts as they either tracked back in lackadaisical fashion or lost markers easily.
Enzo Maresca doesn’t look patient enough to make players cost him games in a bid to ‘improve’ them hence the decision to pick Neto over Mudryk in his supposed left-wing spot.
There have been suggestions about Mudryk’s lack of confidence playing a major role in his poor form at Chelsea but Maresca’s latest comments about him not only discards that school of thought but also makes Mudryk walk on a tightrope as reports also emerged earlier about him being told to prove his worth this season or be ready to leave in the summer.
“I don’t think it’s a lack of confidence.”
“Misha is Misha, you have to accept the way he is.”
“Hopefully he can get minutes and do better”
Tonight, Chelsea face Barrow, a non-league side in the EFL cup and it presents Mudryk (who looks set to start) a golden opportunity to showcase his abilities and give the manager a selection headache ahead of the weekend.
The ball is in his court and there won’t be better chances to prove his worth than tonight.
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