‘Mudryk is a Ferrari Chelsea don’t know how to drive’

Mykhailo Mudryk is being wasted at Chelsea, according to Shakhtar Donetsk director Sergiy Palkin, who compared the winger to a Ferrari.

Mudryk arrived at Chelsea during the January 2023 transfer window, with the Blues having spent €70 million to sign the winger from Shakhtar.

It was a signing that was greeted with great fanfare at Stamford Bridge, not least because Arsenal also had a very serious interest in the player and appeared likelier to sign him.

Since arriving at Chelsea, though, Mudryk has struggled. He has just seven goals and seven assists in 66 appearances, with just nine of his goal contributions coming in the Premier League.

It is a disappointing return who was expected to produce so much, and he was not involved in the squad that faced Liverpool at the weekend, failing to even make the bench for a Premier League game for the first time this season.

Chelsea slated over Mudryk use

This has led to consternation at Shakhtar that their former gem is being wasted.

“You don’t need a Ferrari if you don’t know how to drive it. A normal car will do,” Palkin told Spox of Mudryk’s situation at Chelsea. “If you buy a Ferrari, you should learn how to drive it. That’s my opinion of Mudryk at Chelsea.

“I’m sure he’ll show his qualities if he gets the chance. He is a real difference-maker, and you can see that in his appearances for the Ukrainian national team. There are very few players in that category.”

Despite Palkin’s words, Mudryk’s performance for Ukraine has been little better than he has managed at Chelsea. In 26 caps, he has three goals and four assists.

Although Mudryk missed out of the squad to face Liverpool on Sunday, he is expected to play a central role when Chelsea resume their Conference League campaign on Thursday with an away match against Panathinaikos.