Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has openly discussed the struggles Mykhailo Mudryk has faced since his big-money move to Stamford Bridge. The Ukrainian winger, who arrived at the club for £90 million from Shakhtar Donetsk, has found it difficult to replicate his previous performances and establish himself as a regular starter in the team.
Mudryk’s adaptation to life at Chelsea has been challenging, with the winger featuring in just 15 matches across all competitions this season. Under Maresca, he has started only one Premier League game, and his overall contributions have not lived up to expectations. Here is a detailed breakdown of Maresca’s remarks about Mudryk’s ongoing challenges and development.
A Gradual Development
In October, Maresca commented on Mudryk’s slow progress, emphasizing the club’s efforts to improve his game:
“We’re working with him and all the wingers. They need to arrive inside the box, like where Misha scored. He’s struggled to get there, but now he’s starting to. That’s where we’re going to score goals. We want the best for Misha – since day one, we’ve tried to help him.”
Maresca also highlighted that Mudryk’s learning curve has been steeper than others but remained optimistic about his potential:
“Probably, he’s one of the players where the learning process is slower compared to others. But he’s improving, and I’m sure, slowly but surely, he’ll score more goals and become more important for us.”
In September, the Chelsea boss urged Mudryk to rise to the challenge, dismissing the idea that the winger lacked confidence:
“I don’t think it’s a lack of confidence. Misha is Misha, and you have to accept the way he is. Hopefully, he can get more minutes and improve.”
Tough Criticism and Expectations
In August, following Chelsea’s game against Wolves, Maresca did not hold back his criticism of Mudryk’s performance. When asked about substituting the winger, he candidly explained:
“Because I was not happy. There are moments where we can manage situations better. He was working hard off the ball, but on the ball, I expect a bit more quality from Misha. He had some good moments today, but I wanted to change things and give Pedro some minutes.”
Although his remarks were stern, Maresca’s feedback reflects his dedication to helping Mudryk overcome his challenges and become a key player for the team. The Chelsea manager has consistently stressed the importance of patience and hard work, expressing confidence that the Ukrainian international will eventually adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
Despite the challenges, Mudryk’s story at Chelsea remains a work in progress, with Maresca committed to guiding him toward fulfilling his potential.
