Chelsea’s ongoing difficulties in getting consistent performances from Mykhailo Mudryk have reignited discussions about his future with the club.
Jason Cundy, a presenter on Chelsea TV, has been particularly critical, suggesting that the club might benefit from loaning the Ukrainian winger out.
Cundy has expressed serious doubts about whether Mudryk will ever realize his potential at Stamford Bridge, given his lackluster performances since joining the club.
Mudryk’s time at Chelsea has been characterized by disappointing displays since his high-profile transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk.
The club invested heavily in him, with the initial fee of £62 million potentially escalating to £89 million depending on performance-related add-ons.
However, based on his current form, it seems increasingly unlikely that Chelsea will pay the full amount.
Last season, Mudryk scored just seven goals in 41 appearances, which fell far short of expectations for a player of his caliber.
This season has not started any better, as he has yet to score in his eight outings across all competitions.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s new manager who took over in July, has openly acknowledged Mudryk’s struggles, having given him only one start in the Premier League so far this season.
This situation is surprising, especially considering that Chelsea had to fend off interest from Arsenal to secure his signing.
Many fans now wonder if the club might regret not allowing Mudryk to move to North London instead.
Despite his ongoing challenges, there remains a flicker of hope among fans and pundits that Mudryk can turn his fortunes around.
His speed and athleticism are undeniable, and some believe that with the right coaching and improvements in his decision-making, he could eventually justify the hefty fee Chelsea paid.
However, Cundy remains skeptical, stating on Chelsea TV, “He’s far down the pecking order for me.
I just don’t see much in him as a player. He has football intelligence, but while he’s incredibly fast, it seems like his feet are quicker than his brain—he struggles to adapt.
He possesses significant potential, but he’s been very disappointing.”
Maresca has been patient with Mudryk, but he hasn’t hesitated to emphasize the need for improvement.
Earlier this season, he highlighted Mudryk’s inconsistency in making the right decisions at crucial moments.
When asked about the key to unlocking Mudryk’s potential, Maresca remarked, “This is who Misha is; this has been Mudryk since joining the club.
He has shown flashes of brilliance, but at other times, it’s like flipping a coin—you don’t know what you’re going to get.”
He added, “If he can become more consistent, he can take a step forward, and we’ll work to help him improve.”
Maresca’s comments reflect the frustration many feel regarding Mudryk.
He emphasized that many of the winger’s mistakes stem not from a lack of skill but from poor decision-making.
“Most of Misha’s mistakes aren’t due to a lack of quality or technical errors but rather poor choices.
Sometimes he should pass but opts for something else, resulting in lost possession.
Other times he needs to take on a defender one-on-one. It all comes down to decision-making, and we hope to help him improve that.”
If Chelsea were to decide to loan or sell Mudryk, they would likely incur a significant financial loss.
Glen Johnson, another former Chelsea player, shared his thoughts and agreed that moving Mudryk on might be the best course of action.
When asked about Mudryk’s potential success at Stamford Bridge, Johnson said, “We haven’t seen it yet.
There have been moments showcasing his talent, and at times he has looked unstoppable, but those instances have been few and far between.
Right now, it seems he may not be suited for the Premier League, as we would have recognized it by now if he were. Perhaps his time at Chelsea is coming to an end.”
Johnson’s remarks raise broader concerns about whether Mudryk, despite his physical attributes, can adapt to the demanding nature of the Premier League.
A loan move could provide him with the chance to develop and regain confidence, but there’s also a chance that his tenure at Chelsea might be nearing an early conclusion.
Ultimately, Chelsea will need to carefully consider their options as they strive to recoup some of their investment or find a way to rehabilitate their struggling star.
