Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure to transform Chelsea’s fortunes, and one player he can rely on is Mykhailo Mudryk
Pochettino show why he must trust Mudryk after Bournemouth and Aston Villa audition (Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Mykhailo Mudryk has proven to Mauricio Pochettino that he deserves a place in the Chelsea starting lineup for years to come. The 22-year-old winger initially struggled to impress upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge but, after starting back-to-back Premier League games for just the second time, he’s quickly proven his critics wrong and become a key player for the Blues.
Before the September international break, Mudryk had been starved of opportunities in the first-team, feeding off cameo appearances in games where Chelsea often found themselves in search of a goal against a low-block opposition. In fact, still to this day, he has only ever completed 90 minutes in the English top-flight once, starting just nine and coming off the bench in 11.
With Pochettino eager to shoehorn Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill into his backline, Ben Chilwell was preferred on the left-wing. The 26-year-old left-back started in each of the west Londoners’ first four games of the Premier League season but, following unimpressive performances in defeats to West Ham and Nottingham Forest, the Chelsea boss eventually decided to trust Mudryk.
The Ukraine international was handed his first start of the campaign against Bournemouth but, despite his best efforts, the Blues failed to walk away victorious. In the first-half alone, Mudryk created two particularly clear-cut chances for Conor Gallagher at the Vitality Stadium.
The Ukrainian, who was arguably the west Londoners’ brightest spark, was then replaced by Cole Palmer at the hour mark. In spite of Mudryk’s eye-catching display, Pochettino singled out the youngster and claimed that he still needs to adapt to the Premier League.”He is improving,” the 51-year-old told Sky Sports post-match. He still needs to learn in the Premier League, it’s very fast. He needs to understand the game better, try to be more connected sometimes with the team. We need to give the time and tools for him to improve during the season.”
While many inexperienced players may have let their head drop, Mudryk impressed again the following week. Chelsea couldn’t secure three points against Aston Villa but – again – he created two fantastic chances in the first-half.
In the opening moments of the game, Mudryk showcased his playmaking ability from deep with a defence-splitting through ball to Nicolas Jackson, who failed to beat Emiliano Martinez at the near post. Then, at the half-four mark, the Ukrainian demonstrated his physical prowess, running in-behind the Villans backline before delivering a daisy-cutting ball across the six-yard box – but nobody anticipated the pass.
Following the game, Pochettino branded Chelsea’s missed opportunities as ‘a little bit unlucky’. The Argentine said: “It was a little bit unlucky. How many chances did we have like Aston Villa? They shoot, we block, then they shoot and it touches the post and goes in.
“For us, how many one v one against [Emiliano] Martinez? We were a little bit unlucky but that happens. We need to accept the reality. But it was unlucky because how many chances did they create? Not many. With 10 men we were forcing them to go back.
“That is unlucky. We need to be aware about what is going on but in some way we need to be calm because the team is creating, the team is alive, the team is fighting every single action.
“We cannot say anything about the players, we cannot say that they gave up after 70 minutes. They were fighting until the end with one player less.”
Chelsea may have only picked up one point since the international break, but Pochettino has been given crystal clear evidence of just how effective Mudryk can be. Now, it’s the Blues boss’ job to facilitate the youngster’s development and help him realise his incredible potential.
While it’s only a small sample size, the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling and Gallagher will be encouraged by Mudryk’s liveliness – but now they must convert his chances. And, if they fail to do so, then Pochettino’s first transfer of the January window is abundantly clear – a striker with excellent anticipation, spacial awareness and finishing.
Soucre: football.london
