Mudryk only needed 10 minutes to show Chelsea and Arsenal what fuss was about

MIRROR

Mykhaylo Mudryk made his Chelsea debut on a stage befitting of his newly-found status as a global superstar.

As soon as the Blues pulled the trigger on an £87million deal, Mudryk went from relative unknown to neutrals, to a player expected to immediately deliver. And so it made sense that his bow came during a clash with Liverpool at Anfield, with the eyes of the world on him.

Graham Potter turned to Mudryk with the game in a stalemate and Chelsea needing some attacking impetus off the substitutes’ bench. And though he failed to find the scoresheet in the 0-0 draw, it was an enterprising debut which provided plenty of positives.

Mirror Football kept a close eye on the Premier League ’s newest star, to see what he could offer Chelsea in the years to come.

Position

Mudryk instantly occupied a berth on the left-hand side of the three players behind central striker Kai Havertz. He was constantly looking for the ball and getting in positions where he could receive it and drive at defenders.

With plenty of space behind him, he was also required to make a fair share of tackles and showed he wouldn’t shirk that responsibility and that the physical nature of the english top-flight wouldn’t be too much for him.

A missed chance

Mudryk had only been on the field for two minutes before he should have had an opportunity to open his account. The Ukrainian took up a clever space on the opposite flank to Hakim Ziyech as he cut inside. Mudryk was completely free as he finished his slaloming run, but rather than slide in his new team-mate, he shot wildly over.

Mudryk remained pretty calm considering the fact he was so clearly overlooked. In a few more weeks, you’d expect that reaction to be a little more vociferous.

Signs of nerves…and class

A few moments after that chance came to nothing, Mudryk was this time freed on the left wing with a chance to run at the veteran James Milner. However, with Milner fearing the worst, the winger overhit his first touch and saw the ball run harmlessly out of play.