Mykhailo Mudryk’s stature and proportions are notably diminutive for a professional footballer of the twenty-first century, 5ft9.
Six months ago, he cost Chelsea £88 million, but he rarely emanates the self-assurance and sporting arrogance one would expect from a player of his caliber.
.
His visage is youthful and spotless. His voice is gentle and reflective.
And to cap it all off, his first interaction with the English media, which took place in the bowels of Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field Stadium, lasted approximately 90 seconds.
Nonetheless, this brief exchange contains the most subtle indications that this 22-year-old is not a timid violet. He is self-assured, direct, and forceful, while maintaining an admirable level of composure.
Not only because of the terrible situation in his native Ukraine, but also because so many people appear to have written him off, you cannot help but be impressed.
Mudryk’s preferred club was Arsenal, but he wound up at Stamford Bridge in a January transfer that promised much but has yet to deliver.
His away debut against Liverpool on January 21 displayed his exceptional speed and dexterity, but lacked a crucial finish.
Mudryk finished the season with seventeen appearances, one assist, and no goals.
Another multimillion-dollar failure funded by Chelsea? If Mudryk has anything to say about it, not at all.
Mudryk has spent a considerable amount of time in the gym since his arrival in England, preparing for the physical demands of the upcoming season. He is most certainly not completed.
But when asked about the expectations that surround him, he responded, “It is his dilemma because he expects so much of himself.
“Not all of my potential exists. It’s only twenty percent.”
Given that he has only shown glimpses of what he can truly do in the Premier League, this is an audacious claim that should enthuse Chelsea supporters for the upcoming season.
It was impossible to prevent illness and exhaustion from keeping him on the sideline for several games under former manager Graham Potter before Frank Lampard took over on an interim basis.
It was too late at that point to save Chelsea’s declining season.
And yet, with Mauricio Pochettino now at the helm, you get the sense that Mudryk has a renewed purpose in this Blues squad, and is ready to discharge that on the Premier League next month after scoring his first goal for Chelsea in preseason against Brighton.
Former Shakhtar Donetsk manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is now the manager of the Seagulls, was observing Mudryk. De Zerbi has the look of a delighted father at a sports day.
De Zerbi said: “I am very pleased for him. He is a terrific player with tremendous potential, and I am always pleased when one of my former players achieves success or does something exceptional.
Poch added: “It is crucial for Mudryk to score. Attacking players must score and gain confidence and trust in themselves in order to be successful.
“We are aware of the area in which we need to concentrate our efforts; we intend to do so, but it will require time.
“We must have faith in the process in order to arrive at the first Premier League game in the best possible condition.”
Pochettino has urged Todd Boehly to find him a first-team player in time for the upcoming season, preferably one who can accompany them on their tour of the United States, such as Moises Caicedo of Brighton.
Yet, the solution to many of the Agentine’s problems will be directly under his nose, first through center back Levi Colwill and then through Mudryk.
The pressure should no longer be placed solely on the Ukrainian, who appears determined and focused to demonstrate the Premier League the’real’ Mudryk and not an imposter.
Now there is nothing left to do but wait. When asked about his brief tenure at Chelsea thus far, Mudryk muttered, “Learning period.”
Mudryk replied simply, “Patience” when prompted to elaborate on what he has learned.
Mudryk continues to astound us all and will undoubtedly let his football speak for the foreseeable future.
