Why Mudryk deserves an extended run in the Chelsea starting XI

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 18 Apr 2023 11:09 BST
• 4 min read

Mykhailo Mudryk has been hit with a barrage of criticism since he joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk during the January transfer window, with the Ukraine international becoming the latest big-money signing to feel the effect of the hostile Premier League fanbase.

The 22-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge for a huge initial €70 million fee after the Blues outbid Arsenal to secure his services. Following an electric cameo appearance at Anfield, that almost included a wonderful solo goal, the hype around Mudryk began to rise.

However, since that brilliant start away to Liverpool, Mudryk has found it hard to adapt to life in the English top flight.

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The Ukrainian has started just five games for the Blues, while he's failed to play a single minute on four separate occasions since joining the club.

Graham Potter's switch to a back five system during the final weeks of his tenure didn't suit Mudryk's strengths and he was often overlooked for selection in favour of Kai Havertz and Joao Felix.

But, he was given a chance from the off against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, Frank Lampard's first home game back in charge of Chelsea, and Mudryk was one of the only bright sparks for the Blues.

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Julio Enciso's second-half rocket bagged all three points for Brighton to succumb Chelsea to a fourth successive defeat and ensure Lampard's dreadful run of results continued.

While most of his team-mates looked off the pace once again, the same can't be said for Mudryk. The former Shakhtar star looked eager to impress the new boss and was the only attacker who looked remotely threatening to Brighton's backline. He was also the player who provided the assist for Conor Gallagher's opener.

After a bursting run forward from the halfway line to the edge of the Brighton penalty area, Mudryk played a reverse pass into the path of Gallagher, whose shot deflected off Lewis Dunk and past the helpless Robert Sanchez to give Chelsea the lead.

That was as good as it got for Chelsea and Brighton's comeback was completed when Enciso fired into the top corner in the 69th minute.

Chelsea's creativity woes

Despite joining in January and only mustering 444 league minutes, Mudryk is now Chelsea's joint-top assist provider in the Premier League this campaign. He is one of seven players currently on two assists in the league, along with Ben Chilwell, Enzo Fernandez, Mason Mount, Marc Cucurella, Thiago Silva and Raheem Sterling.

That stat epitomises the creativity issues that have plagued Chelsea's season and seen them net just one goal under Lampard's tenure.

The Blues' horrific creativity problem is highlighted by the fact that of the 20 Premier League teams this season, Wolves and Chelsea are the only two sides without a player with three or more league assists in their ranks. Even 20th placed Southampton have Che Adams on three assists in the top flight.

That is simply abhorrent for a team who have spent over €600m in the past 12 months.

While Mudryk hasn't been prolific at Stamford Bridge - he is still yet to score his first Chelsea goal - he deserves to be given an extended run in the side as he's shown glimpses of what could be to come in the future.

With Chelsea's season effectively over, unless they're dragged into a relegation battle or miraculously overturn their first-leg deficit to Real Madrid in the Champions League, focus has to shift to preparing for next season and Mudryk could be pivotal to their success in 2023/24.

Therefore, the Ukraine international needs to become regular between now and the end of the current campaign to continue adapting to the style of Premier League football.

In addition to that, Mudryk has already shown more promise than several other attacking options at Stamford Bridge and his pace is a weapon that Chelsea would be wise to utilise in the coming weeks.