Chelsea

Mauricio Pochettino 'seriously unimpressed with Chelsea winger's development'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 10 April 2024

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is allegedly unimpressed with the development of winger Mykhaylo Mudryk since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly disappointed with the development of winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.

At the beginning of 2023, Blues co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital made the decision to pay significantly more than Arsenal were prepared to offer for the Ukraine international.

However, since completing a move for a fee that could eventually rise to £89m, Mudryk has failed to produced the quality and consistency expected of him.

A total of just six goals and four assists have come from 50 appearances in all competitions, although it should be noted he has completed 90 minutes on just four occasions.

Mudryk has also started just 24 of his outings in a Chelsea shirt, partly down to not putting together a run of form during his stint at Stamford Bridge.

Burnley's Josh Brownhill in action with Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk on October 7, 2023 © Reuters

Pochettino left 'seriously unimpressed'

According to Football Insider, Pochettino and his coaching staff have been left 'seriously unimpressed' by the progression of the 23-year-old.

The suggestion is that far more was expected from the former Shakhtar Donetsk attacker despite the period of adjustment that was required after moving from his homeland.

That alleged perception of Mudryk comes at a time when Pochettino is also said to hold a similar opinion of the performances of fellow wideman Raheem Sterling.

His numbers - eight goals and eight assists - are far better than Mudryk's for 2023-24, yet the England international has only featured for 36 minutes across the last three fixtures, one of which remaining as an unused substitute.

Noni Madueke has often been regarded as fourth choice in the winger's department this campaign, but the England Under-21 international started and scored against Sheffield United on Sunday.

Chelsea's Mykhaylo Mudryk scores their third goal past Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka on March 11, 2024 © Reuters

How can Pochettino handle Mudryk situation?

Unless a club comes in with a substantial loan fee for Mudryk in the summer, Chelsea's hands are pretty much tied courtesy of his contract running until 2031.

Nevertheless, that is not to say that it should be all doom and gloom, with Pochettino having the option of using Mudryk more centrally.

His most effective performances have come from that role; Mudryk impressed against Leeds United and Leicester City in the FA Cup, as well as making an immediate impact with a goal from a central position against Newcastle United upon being introduced as a substitute.

Full-backs have become wise to using Mudryk's pace against him on the flanks, but there is more room to manoeuvre if he can work in the middle and closer to the number nine, particularly Nicolas Jackson.