Chelsea star Mykhaylo Mudryk has endured a tough start to life in the Premier League but Mauricio Pochettino could be about to benefit from the club’s decision to allow him to play international football this summer. The winger joined up with Ukraine’s Under-21 squad for the European Championships in Romania and Georgia, and that move is about to pay dividends ahead of the new campaign with Chelsea fans excited at the prospect of Mudryk firing on all cylinders.
He only tasted victory on two occasions in a Chelsea shirt last season and failed to score a single goal in all competitions, although the 22-year-old was credited with two assists and played his part in an own goal.
There is optimism he could experience more joy at Stamford Bridge working under Pochettino, however, due to the Argentine’s nurturing presence and preference to develop younger players.
And Mudryk is already showing encouraging signs at the Under-21 Euros ahead of his return to the club this summer.
Mykhaylo Mudryk: The £88m star is yet to score for Chelsea. (Image: Getty)
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The £88million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk helped his country seal their place in the semi-finals of the competition on Sunday with a surprise 3-1 victory over the much-fancied France. Mudryk laid on two assists for his team-mates in an overall fine display, which led to Chelsea fans hailing his performance on social media.
First, he was awarded a penalty after embarking on a slaloming run and inviting a challenge from Pierre Kalulu. Georgiy Sudakov fired home from the spot to bring them back on level terms after Rayan Cherki had given Les Bleus the lead.
Mudryk continued to wreak havoc and created another goal when he picked out his former team-mate Sudakov again, and the Shakhtar man doubled his tally to make it 2-1.
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Mykhaylo Mudryk: The 22-year-old laid on two assists for his Ukraine U21 team-mates. (Image: Getty)
Artem Bondarenko then rounded off the scoring late on to clinch a memorable victory and Blues supporters were left in no doubt that this was a new version of Mudryk unfolding in front of them.
Twitter user @MPIKTOR wrote: “Mudryk cooked yesterday against France. And people still say he’s not gonna succeed with Chelsea.”
Another fan @jayteemuro said: “Mudryk is a similar profile player to Salah when he was at Chelsea. Lots of speed, kidogo end product. Exactly like Salah… I have faith in him.”
@BlocBoy_Josh added: “Mudryk just needs his confidence back and he’ll dominate in that Chelsea squad.”
Mauricio Pochettino: Mudryk could thrive under his management. (Image: Getty)
After the game, Mudryk gave his verdict on their performance as they face Spain in the last four.
“Yes, we knew what we needed to do in the second half and we clearly did it and that’s why we won. I’m really happy for our country because our country deserves it and we will go for our next stage and we will give everything for it.”
Should they pull off another upset, Mudryk could face his Chelsea team-mates Noni Madueke and Levi Colwill in the final as the pair are currently playing for England at the tournament.
