Despite creating numerous chances for Chelsea against Bournemouth at the weekend, Mykhailo Mudryk has strangely faced criticism for his performance
Pochettino slammed for unfairly picking on Mudryk after Chelsea vs Bournemouth (Image: Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Emmanuel Petit has slammed Mauricio Pochettino for singling out Mykhailo Mudryk after Chelsea’s clash with Bournemouth at the weekend. Despite the 22-year-old winger’s best efforts, Andoni Iraola’s side held the Blues to a goalless draw on Sunday afternoon.
While Mudryk wasn’t necessarily at his best, he still managed to create numerous clear-cut opportunities for Chelsea. The Ukraine international often led by example with his perseverance to break down the Cherries’ backline before he was later replaced by Cole Palmer at the half-hour mark.
Despite his impressive performance at the Vitality Stadium, Pochettino claimed that the youngster still needs to ‘understand the game better’. Speaking to Sky Sports, the 51-year-old said: “He is improving. He still needs to learn; the Premier League is very fast, the speed of the game is so fast.
“I think it’s about understanding the game better, try to be more connected sometimes with the team. We need to give the time and to give the tools for him to improve during the season.”
While Pochettino may have had good intentions, Petit believes that Mudryk will be upset with his manager’s comments. Speaking to Betway, the Frenchman said: “Mudryk isn’t the only one struggling in that team so pointing at him in the press will not help him at all because he’s not playing with confidence.
“He will be thinking, ‘why is my manager saying I don’t understand the way I should be playing in the Premier League?’ This is a bad sign for Mudryk and I’m pretty sure he will be on the bench next time against Aston Villa.
“Next time Pochettino says something like that he should look at other players too because the Bournemouth game was not Mudryk’s fault. Chelsea could have played for a week and wouldn’t have scored, there is no connection between the players because they are not speaking the same language.
“I was bored watching the game,” Petit added. The former Arsenal and Chelsea ace then suggested that had Mudryk joined Manchester City instead then he wouldn’t have had as much trouble adjusting to life in the Premier League.
“If you put Mudryk in Manchester City’s team, I’m sure he would play differently,” Petit said. “He’s coming into a team who are Treble winners with quality all around him and players who speak the same language.
“So if you put Mudryk I’m sure he would thrive as well because he would be surrounded by quality players. So in terms of movement, it would be easy for him to understand. When I look at Pochettino I don’t understand how he wants them to play.
“There have been so many changes Pochettino would need magic to get results straight away. So Doku is lucky to play for a team who have established how they want to play, Mudryk doesn’t have that.”
Soucre: football.london
