Chelsea star Reece James reached out to Mykhailo Mudryk following his first goal for Ukraine before Chelsea’s match against Arsenal. On Saturday, the Blues will face Mikel Arteta’s team at Stamford Bridge, and the 22-year-old winger will be eager to play and maintain his impressive form.

Mykhailo Mudryk scored his first goal for Ukraine in a crucial European Championship qualifier against Malta on Tuesday night, resulting in a 3-1 victory for his team. Ukraine secured second place in Group C, overtaking Italy and securing their spot at Euro 2024.

Mudryk celebrated his milestone by posting a picture of himself on Instagram. His fellow countryman and former Shakhtar Donetsk colleague, Georgi Sudakov, along with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Angelo Gabriel, and Reece James, expressed their support in the comments.

Reece James, the Chelsea captain, left a red heart emoji beneath Mudryk’s post. The response received over a thousand likes in a short period, underscoring how much Chelsea supporters want Mudryk to succeed for both club and country.

Under the protection of Mauricio Pochettino, Mudryk has shown significant improvement recently, with the manager previously describing him as a “unique” player. Pochettino emphasized that the young player needs time to mature, as their lives change dramatically when they’re young and highly sought after. Adjusting to new cultures and helping players feel at ease and exhibit their skills is a complex process, especially for individuals from different regions of the world.

Mudryk is making a significant effort to adapt, be more open, and participate fully both on and off the field, as he seeks to better understand the concept of team play. Pochettino believes he is a special player who cannot be easily compared to others. The task of integrating him into the team and facilitating his understanding of playing as part of a team is worthwhile and promising for both Mudryk and Chelsea.