Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, has made it clear that he’s not shy about criticizing his players, and today Mykhailo Mudryk found himself in the spotlight.
Following Chelsea’s latest match, Maresca didn’t hold back in his post-game press conference when discussing the performance of the Ukrainian winger. Mudryk was substituted at halftime in favor of Pedro Neto, a decision Maresca openly explained to the media.
The manager expressed his dissatisfaction with Mudryk’s performance, particularly when it came to his contributions with the ball. “I was not happy. In some moments we can manage situations better,” Maresca stated.
He acknowledged that Mudryk was working hard off the ball, but on the ball, he expected more quality from the player. Although Mudryk had some positive moments during the game, Maresca felt it was necessary to bring on Neto to see if he could offer more to the team.
This public criticism comes just days after Maresca had similarly called out Mudryk for making “a lot of mistakes” during a midweek match against Servette. The winger’s recent performances have clearly not met the manager’s expectations, and it was surprising to see Mudryk starting over Neto in the first place, given his lackluster form.
After this latest display, it’s hard to imagine Mudryk being trusted with a starting spot in the near future unless he significantly improves his game. Many Chelsea supporters are now wondering whether Mudryk should be confined to appearances in the UEFA Conference League until his form shows drastic improvement.
Mudryk’s current situation reflects a broader problem that has plagued his tenure at Chelsea. Despite being given opportunities under multiple managers, his performances have consistently failed to live up to expectations. This season, Mudryk has started two of Chelsea’s three games, despite having an unremarkable preseason. Yet, his performances continue to disappoint, raising serious concerns about his future with the club.
Since his high-profile transfer to Chelsea, Mudryk has shown little progress, despite the different tactical approaches and coaching styles of various managers. The optimism that once surrounded his potential has faded, and there are now very few fans who still believe that he can fulfill the promise he initially showed.
The transfer fee, reportedly around £88.5 million, is increasingly being viewed as one of the worst deals Chelsea has ever made, especially considering the club’s long history of questionable transfers.
