Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino faces a challenging task in persuading Mykhaylo Mudryk to remain at the club, as a former coach has advised the winger to contemplate a departure. Despite gaining praise for his gradual improvement this season, suggestions have arisen for Mudryk to seek a more comfortable environment elsewhere after struggling to adapt in London.
Since his high-profile £88 million transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in January, Mudryk has grappled with exaggerated expectations, contributing two goals and two assists in 28 appearances. Both goals materialized this season under Pochettino, culminating in a league win against Fulham and a fortunate lob against Arsenal’s David Raya.
Chelsea endured a challenging period, finishing 12th in owner Todd Boehly’s inaugural season. While Mudryk isn’t solely responsible for the team’s struggles, his goal drought has coincided with only eight wins in 2023.
In contrast, Mudryk’s international success, boasting four goals in his last six caps for Ukraine, supports a former coach’s assertion that he isn’t utilized effectively by Chelsea or its manager.
Carlo Nicolini, who joined Shakhtar in 2020 with former coach Roberto De Zerbi, advised Mudryk to depart Chelsea for a club and coach better suited for his growth. Nicolini emphasized that Mudryk, seen at his best in the national team, should find an ideal environment and an inspiring coach to unleash his full potential.
“Mudryk needed to take one more step there before the war broke out. He went to Chelsea, which is not a team, and in these circumstances, even the individual struggles,” Nicolini expressed on Italian station TV Play. “You can see the real Mudryk in the national team; he can do even more. He must locate the ideal environment and a coach who inspires him. He has everything he needs to rock, and I hope he can demonstrate it since he is quite strong.”
