Mudryk is BETTER than Cole Palmer, says Chelsea legend

Carlo Garganese

• 13 Mar 2024 13:52 GMT
• 3 min read

Joe Cole has hailed the potential of Mykhailo Mudryk, believing he can even outdo Chelsea star Cole Palmer.

Palmer has been one of the few bright spots in a miserable season for Chelsea, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions since his transfer from Man City last summer.

Mudryk, however, has largely been a massive disappointment since his €100 million transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023.

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He has largely been mocked by fans and the media over the last 14 months, scoring just four goals and delivering two assists this season.

Mudryk has fallen well down the pecking order at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino but there have been some signs for more optimism recently.

The Ukraine winger came off the bench during Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Newcastle on Monday and scored a fantastic individual goal, dribbling past a defender and the goalkeeper before slotting home.

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And former Chelsea midfielder Cole believes that shows just what potential Mudryk has.

What did Joe Cole say?

“When Cole Palmer signed for the club there were a lot of eyebrows raised but he is so intelligent,” Cole told Premier League Productions.

“When you watch Mudryk it is like a young player who excites you but with Palmer, he could be 31 not 21. The fans here absolutely love him.

“There is a player in Mudryk somewhere. When you watch him live you can see the scope for him to get better.

“The stuff Cole Palmer is so good at, Mudryk can do better. He needs to improve but he has such outstanding natural talent.”

Mudryk is blessed with lightning pace and the ability to beat his man but has often been criticised for over-running the ball, a lack of awareness of those around him and for his poor team-play.

Nevertheless, the raw qualities are evident - so much so that his former Shakhtar manager Roberto De Zerbi predicted that Mudryk has the talent to win the Ballon d’Or one day.