Chelsea suffer fresh setback as 23-year-old star hit with illness ahead of heated Tottenham derby
Mykhailo Mudryk has been ruled out of Chelsea's upcoming game against Tottenham Hotspur due to illness, manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed. The Blues will lock horns with their local rivals on Sunday, December 8, in the Premier League.
Maresca's team arrives at the game in tremendous form, having won their last four games across competitions. Chelsea are second in the league table after 14 games, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's tie, as cited by Fabrizio Romano, Maresca added that Reece James and Wesley Fofana also remain unavailable.
“Reece James and Wesley Fofana are doing better… but they are still weeks away. Mudryk is currently ill,” said Maresca.
Reece James' injury woes have shown no signs of ending so far. The Englishman missed almost the entire 2023/24 campaign for the Blues with injuries and his situation hasn't improved this season.
James has appeared just four times across competitions for the London giants this campaign, three of which have been starts. He is currently out with a hamstring injury.
Mudryk, meanwhile, has failed to live up to expectations at Chelsea since his £88.5m move from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023. The 23-year-old has been a shadow of the player who previously caught the eye with the Ukrainian side.
This season, however, Mudryk has shown signs of revival. He has registered three goals and five assists from 15 games across competitions, nine of which have been starts.
Will Chelsea offload Mykhailo Mudryk in January?
A recent report from Caught Offside has stated that Chelsea are ready to cash in on Mykhailo Mudryk in January. The Blues have run out of patience with the Ukrainian and will allow him to leave at the turn of the year.
The London giants are well stocked in attack, while they are likely to further invest in their frontline in 2025. Mudryk's departure could raise a decent transfer fee, while also opening up space in their squad for new arrivals.
Despite the player's struggles, his stock remains high. Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are apparently eyeing Mudryk with interest, while Barcelona have also been named as a suitor.
The Catalans are preparing for life without Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, both of whom could be on the move in 2025. Chelsea are apparently willing to let Mudryk leave on loan, which will suit Barcelona. The player's contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2031.