Chelsea happy with underperforming ace and aren't looking to force him out despite exit rumours
Today at 10:21 AM
Chelsea are happy with Mykhailo Mudryk despite reports linking him with a move away from the club according to journalist Graeme Bailey.
Mudryk was one of a number of big money signings in January 2023, with Chelsea paying Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk an initial £62.5m for his services.
The Blues snuck in at the last minute to beat Arsenal to the signing of the winger, but so far it's fair to say he's not lived up to expectations.
Chelsea happy with Mudryk
After a difficult first six months at the club Mudryk showed signs of improvement last season and scored seven goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.
Competition for places in the wide areas increased significantly over the summer with the arrivals of Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho.
Mudryk has only started one Premier League game this season, in which he was substituted at half time and Enzo Maresca has publicly criticised him on occasions.
The 23-year-old has faired better in the cup competitions and has started all seven of Chelsea's cup games, whilst he's also got three assists and two goals in three Conference League games.
There are signs he's starting to improve and Mudryk has been a go to option from the bench in recent weeks, which shows Maresca could be starting to trust him more.
Despite this, there have been reports linking him a move to Marseille, whilst there's also believed to be interest from Crystal Palace.
However, Bailey has told The Chelsea Chronicle the Blues are happy with the Ukraine international and they aren't looking to move him on.
"They weren't particularly pushing Mudryk out in the summer," he said.
"I think they really like him as a personality, as a footballer in terms of his professionalism, they don't really have any issues with him to be honest.
"I think it's just the weight of numbers ahead of him at the moment that is really stopping him playing. I'm not sure Mudryk's going to be pushing for that move in January. We'll see, he might do, because he might get a bit frustrated not playing.
"From what I'm hearing, Chelsea are not unhappy with Mudryk at all. They like what he's about, they like his work ethic. I'm not sure he'll be one of the first out."
It will be interesting to see how Mudryk develops over the course of the season, because with Estevao Willian arriving in 2025 he could be playing for his Chelsea future.
