"Don't need a Ferrari if you don't know how to drive it" - Director claims Chelsea don't know how to use Mykhailo Mudryk
Shakhtar Donetsk's general manager Serhiy Palkin has claimed that Premier League juggernauts Chelsea do not know how to use attacker Mykhailo Mudryk. The 50-year-old called the young winger an 'absolute difference-maker', comparing him to a Ferrari that the Blues cannot 'handle'.
Mudryk moved to Stamford Bridge from boyhood club Shakhtar in January 2023 for a reported £62 million fee plus £26 million in add-ons. Despite commanding such a massive fee, he has blown hot and cold so far, falling short of expectations.
He has made 66 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, bagging just seven goals and seven assists. Although his inconsistent play has been criticized by fans and media alike, Palkin seems to have a differing opinion on his struggles.
In an interview with GOAL, Palkin, who has been the CEO of Shakhtar since 2004, explained that the Blues have not used Mudryk correctly thus far. He said (via The Chelsea Chronicle):
"You don't need a Ferrari if you don't know how to drive it. A normal car will do. If you buy a Ferrari, you should think about how to handle it. That's my opinion on Mudryk at Chelsea."
"I am sure that he will show his qualities when he gets the chance. He is an absolute difference-maker, which can also be seen in his appearances for the Ukrainian national team. There are very few players in this category," Palkin added.
Mudryk has made eight appearances (four starts) this season across competitions with three assists to his name.
"We are going to try to help him change" - When Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca explained club's plan with Mykhailo Mudryk
At the start of the 2024-25 campaign, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca claimed that the club will be trying everything to 'help' Mykhailo Mudryk change his fortunes. The Italian tactician claimed that the Ukrainian forward will have to learn how to make the right decisions in the opponent's half.
Maresca said to the club website (via Caught Offside):
"Since he joined the club he had some good moments, and then some bad moments. When he has the ball you don’t know what you are going to get, it’s one thing or the other thing. This is Misha. The moment he becomes more consistent he can take one step forward."
"We are going to try to help him to change. He has to understand we are going to bring him the ball in the last third. When he is there, he has to take the right decision," Maresca added.
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali is completely in favor of keeping Mudryk despite rumors linking him with a move away from the club. The Iranian-American is reportedly 'desperate' for the 23-year-old 'to come good', and is not even willing to let him go out on loan.
Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke, and Jadon Sancho are currently competing with Mudryk for a starting spot on the wings under Enzo Maresca. It will be interesting to see if he can re-establish himself as a key player for the Blues.