Chelsea star reveals fans have only seen '20% of his potential' after DISAPPOINTING first season

Cameron Smith

• 25 Jul 2023 18:44 BST
• 3 min read

Mykhailo Mudyrk believes Chelsea fans have only seen 20% of his potential in a Blues shirt so far after a difficult first six months in England.

The Ukraine international was heavily linked with a January move to Arsenal, but Chelsea hijacked the deal and paid an initial €70 million to sign Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.

However, after an impressive debut off the bench against Liverpool at Anfield, the winger struggled to replicate that form during the rest of the season and has still not yet scored his first competitive Chelsea goal.

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He did, though, score a brilliant strike against Brighton & Hove Albion in the first game of the Premier League Summer Series as Chelsea’s pre-season preparations continue under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, and Mudryk has told Blues fans that’s just the start.

After his strike in Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Roberto De Zerbi’s side, Mudryk was interviewed and said, via talkSPORT, “I feel happy for all the work I put into this goal.

“It is not all my potential. It is only 20 per cent. I feel good because playing under Pochettino, our manager, is nice, it is enjoyable and it is a new team which is also enjoyable.”

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After arriving mid-season from Ukraine, expectations were high on Mudryk but he mustered just seven Premier League starts, contributing two assists.

However, he seemingly has the trust of Pochettino and his connection with Nicolas Jackson looks to be blossoming into something special.

Chelsea’s summer business

The Blues have focused far more on outgoings than incomings so far this summer, with Chelsea generating over €250m in player sales since the window opened.

Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Kalidou Kouliably are among those to leave for high fees, while N’Golo Kante, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Cesar Azpilicueta have both left on free transfers.

So far, Christopher Nkunku (€60m), Jackson (€37m), Angelo (€15m) and Diego Moreira (free) are the only arrivals at Chelsea this window.