“He’s a good player no doubt but he is nowhere close to the level of player that Chelsea needs now. He plays like he is not ready for the competitiveness of the Premier League. Loan him out so he can gain much needed experience” – A Chelsea TV presenter has suggested that the club should consider loaning out a “disappointing” player after recent performances.
Chelsea’s ongoing difficulties in getting consistent performances from Mykhailo Mudryk have reignited discussions about his future at the club. Jason Cundy, a host for Chelsea TV and former defender, has been particularly critical, suggesting that the club may benefit more by loaning out the Ukrainian winger. Cundy has expressed serious doubts about whether Mudryk will ever live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge, raising concerns about the player’s long-term prospects at the club.
Mudryk’s time at Chelsea has been disappointing so far. Since his big-money move from Shakhtar Donetsk, where Chelsea paid £62 million with the potential for that figure to rise to £89 million, the winger has failed to impress. His performances have not justified his hefty price tag. Last season, Mudryk only managed to score seven goals in 41 appearances, a return that falls well below what Chelsea would have hoped for. Despite the club’s significant investment, this season hasn’t provided much hope either. Mudryk has failed to score in eight appearances across all competitions, prompting further concerns about his form.
Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, who took over in July, has openly admitted that Mudryk is struggling. The winger has only started once in the Premier League this season, a clear indication that he has not earned the trust of the new coaching staff. Chelsea went head-to-head with Arsenal to secure Mudryk’s signature, but his continued underperformance has led to second thoughts about whether the club made the right choice in pursuing him so aggressively.
Despite Mudryk’s poor form, there is still some hope that he might turn things around. His speed and athleticism are undeniable, and some fans believe that with the right coaching and better decision-making, Mudryk could still become the player Chelsea envisioned when they signed him. However, Cundy remains skeptical. On Chelsea TV, he said, “He’s way down the list for me. I don’t see much from him that suggests he’s going to make it. He’s got footballing intelligence, but although he’s fast, it feels like his feet are faster than his brain. He has so much potential, but he’s been really disappointing.”
Maresca has been patient with Mudryk but hasn’t shied away from addressing the player’s need for improvement. Earlier in the season, Maresca commented on Mudryk’s struggles, especially with making the right decisions during crucial moments in games. When asked if consistency was key to unlocking Mudryk’s potential, Maresca responded, “This is Mudryk, this is who he’s been since arriving at Chelsea. He has moments of brilliance, but too often, it’s like a gamble—you never know what you’re going to get.” He added, “If he can become more consistent, we can help him take the next step forward. We’re working to help him improve.”
Maresca’s observations highlight the frustrations surrounding Mudryk. He emphasized that the winger’s errors aren’t necessarily down to a lack of skill but rather poor decision-making. “Most of Mudryk’s mistakes are not because of a lack of ability or technical flaws, but because he makes the wrong decisions. Sometimes he should pass, but he holds onto the ball, and we lose possession. Other times he should take on the defender but hesitates. It’s all about decision-making, and we hope to help him with that.”
If Chelsea were to loan Mudryk out or even consider selling him, it is likely they would suffer a significant financial loss. Glen Johnson, another former Chelsea player, has also weighed in, suggesting that moving Mudryk elsewhere might be the best option. When asked if Mudryk could succeed at Chelsea, Johnson said, “We haven’t seen it yet. There have been flashes of what he can do, and at times he has looked unstoppable, but those moments have been rare. If he were truly suited to the Premier League, we would have seen more by now. Maybe his time at Chelsea is coming to an end.”
Johnson’s remarks point to a larger concern about whether Mudryk is cut out for the high-paced and demanding nature of Premier League football. While a loan move might give him the chance to find his feet and build confidence, there is a growing possibility that Mudryk’s time at Chelsea could be cut short. As the club weighs its options, they face the difficult decision of whether to try and recoup some of their investment or focus on rebuilding Mudryk’s confidence and helping him rediscover his form. Either way, the situation with Mudryk presents Chelsea with a dilemma as they figure out how to handle a player who has yet to justify the considerable investment made in him.
