Chelsea transfer news as a demand emerges ahead of key January window, with the Ukraine international starting to find his feet at Stamford Bridge
Having already shelled out on over 20 players in the past two years it is hard to see Chelsea being too busy in January but having failed to entirely settle in England, Mykhailo Mudryk has already spoken about a reunion he hopes to make. The 22-year-old arrived just over 12 months ago having been a prime target for Arsenal for much of the year, making a late switch to go to west London instead.
Since commanding a fee of over £60million, which could rise significantly more if he achieves the great heights many say he can, Mudryk has scored just two goals. The second half to last season, his opening months at the club, were as disrupted as any that a new player can ever get but there is hope that the talent from within can shine through.
Part of the issue for the Ukraine international has been struggling to tie down a spot in the team due to having so much attacking competition, poor form and confidence issues as well as a raw streak that under pressure managers so far have had little time to change.
He was one of eight players who arrived in January 2023 but the business this winter promises to be very different. The Blues are said to be looking to streamline their plans and will work on a one-in-one-out basis. Wingers also aren’t the order of the day with an already overstocked supply.
However, reports in Italy suggest that the club might not be done. In Georgiy Sudakov, Shakhtar Donetsk have yet another star player aiming to breakout in Europe, and he is already attracting attention of those on the continent. It is said that Juventus are in the mix for him and could spark a bidding war for the versatile 21-year-old.
Brighton are also said to be interested and have the Roberto De Zerbi card to play after his time in Ukraine, meanwhile there is a pre-existing relationship between himself and Mudryk which has added to the fire. “[Mudryk] has got huge potential,” Sudakov told The Telegraph earlier this year.
“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.” Tongue in cheek perhaps? Mudryk does have Cole Palmer now, though that is just added competition on the flanks, whilst Enzo Fernandez can certainly claim that poor finishing from attackers has cost him assists a plenty since joining in January just weeks after Mudryk.
There is truth to their connection though. Mudryk and Sudakov have played 49 times together for club and country (seven times for Ukraine Under-21s, five for the senior team), combining nine times for goals between them. It’s an impressive record and Mudryk has had good words to say for his compatriot as well.
Speaking after the Under-21 European Championships win over France earlier this year Mudryk said: “It would be great if he came to Chelsea with me,” acknowledging the quality of Sudakov. Although there are no links between the Blues are another hot talent it is never out of the picture that Todd Boehly swoops in.
Chelsea have made quite the name for themselves of signing promising players across world football and Sudakov certainly fits that bill. That fact that he has a pre-existing bond with Mudryk is an added bonus. It may also help Pochettino get the best out of his enigmatic attacker.
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