"You should walk back with embarrassment" - Chris Sutton rips into Chelsea star for what he did in 2-2 Arsenal draw
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has lambasted Mykhaylo Mudryk for celebrating his goal in the side's 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend (October 21). The Englishman claims that a player should not be allowed to celebrate a goal he did not intend.
The Blues split the points with the Gunners at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday last week. The west London outfit had a great start to the encounter and seemed to be in control for the majority of the game.
Cole Palmer converted a penalty a quarter-hour into the match, with Chelsea heading into the break 1-0 up. A few minutes after the second half commenced, Mudryk lobbed the ball into the box in what seemed to be an attempted cross. To the Ukrainian's delight, it went over Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya's head and found its way into the back of the net.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk forward celebrated the goal, regardless of whether it was his intention. Sutton has now hit out at the Chelsea forward for his actions, saying (via Metro):
"I don’t think you should be allowed to celebrate a goal if you don’t mean it. I know he was happy but he also celebrated like he meant it. That was, come on! Not like the big arms out! You should walk back with embarrassment if you are meaning to cross it!"
Mudryk has received a substantial amount of criticism since his £88.5 million move to Stamford Bridge in January. The Ukraine international failed to impress in his debut season at Chelsea after registering zero goals in 17 games for the club during the 2022-23 campaign.
"He is not at his best" - Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea star 'needs to improve' after Arsenal draw
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Mudryk still has room to improve and has not realized his potential after his performance against Arsenal.
Prior to his move to Stamford Bridge last winter, the Ukraine international attracted a lot of interest from various elite outfits, including the Blues and Arsenal. The winger has been backed to be a future Ballon d'Or winner by Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian worked with Mudryk at former outfit Shakhtar Donetsk.
Pochettino seems to be of a similar opinion. He said that while the winger has been putting on better performances this season, he still has not become the best version of himself.
The former Tottenham Hotspur manager said after the Arsenal draw (via Football.London):
"I think he is playing well but also he needs to improve still. For me he is not at his best."
Mudryk has scored two goals in nine games across competitions this season.