It is difficult to imagine Chelsea being very active in January given that they have already spent over 20 million dollars on players in the previous two years, but Mykhailo Mudryk has already mentioned that he hopes to reunite with Chelsea after failing to fully settle in England. The 22-year-old, who was Arsenal’s top target for much of the year until making the late decision to move to west London, joined a little over a year ago.
Mudryk has only scored two goals since commanding a fee of over £60 million, a figure that might climb considerably more if he reaches the lofty heights many believe he is capable of. His first few months at the club and the second half of the previous season were as chaotic as any new player could hope for, but there is still hope that the innate skill will come through.
The Ukraine international has had difficulty locking down a spot in the team in part because of intense offensive competition, poor form and confidence concerns, and a raw streak that managers haven’t had much opportunity to work with.
He was one of eight players that came in January 2023, but this winter looks to be extremely different for the company. According to reports, the Blues will operate on a one-in, one-out basis and are aiming to streamline their plans. Wingers aren’t the norm either, as there is already an abundance of them.
Italian sources, however, imply that the club may not be finished. Georgiy Sudakov is another talented player that Shakhtar Donetsk has who is hoping to make a big splash in Europe. People on the continent are already taking notice of him. Rumor has it that Juventus is interested in the versatile 21-year-old, which might lead to a bidding war.
A pre-existing relationship between Roberto De Zerbi and Mudryk has fueled the fire, and Brighton is rumored to be interested as well. Roberto De Zerbi has the card to play following his time in Ukraine. Earlier this year, Sudakov told The Telegraph that Mudryk “has got huge potential.”
“Perhaps one of the reasons why you don’t see him at the top level in England yet is because, he is saying, there is not such a player like [me] who constantly delivers top passes and assists for him.” Maybe a tongue in cheek? Cole Palmer has joined Mudryk, but that is just more competition on the wings. Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez may legitimately argue that he has lost a lot of assists due to bad finishing from attackers since coming in January, just a few weeks after Mudry
However, there is validity to their relationship. Together, Mudryk and Sudakov have played 49 times for club and nation (seven times for the Ukraine Under-21 team and five times for the senior squad), scoring nine goals in all. It’s a noteworthy record, and Mudryk has positive things to say about his countryman.
Announcing Sudakov’s excellence, Mudryk stated, “It would be great if he came to Chelsea with me,” following the Under-21 European Championship victory over France earlier this year. Even though there are no connections between the Blues and another exciting talent, Todd Boehly is always a possibility.
Sudakov most definitely fits the description of the promising prospects Chelsea has a reputation for signing from around the world of football. It’s an advantage because he already has a relationship with Mudryk. It might also assist Pochettino in getting the most out of his mysterious assailant.