Mykhailo Mudryk’s potential to secure the Ballon d’Or in the future remains intact, according to his international teammate, despite his current struggles at Chelsea.
Mudryk, who transferred from Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea in January 2023 for a fee that could rise to £87 million, has yet to live up to the high expectations set by his hefty price tag. Since joining Chelsea, the winger has managed only seven goals and five assists in 62 appearances—a record that highlights his ongoing difficulty in making a significant impact.
The transition has been challenging for Mudryk, exacerbated by the instability of having played under five different managers. Including interim figures Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard. The arrival of Enzo Maresca as the new Chelsea boss brings fresh hope that Mudryk can find his form. With Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, and Jadon Sancho joining Chelsea in the recent transfer window. Mudryk faces stiff competition for a starting spot on the wing.
Despite these challenges, Mudryk’s former Shakhtar Donetsk and current Ukraine teammate Georgiy Sudakov remains optimistic about his future. Sudakov praised Mudryk’s potential, telling The Guardian in August, “Mykhailo is an incredible player, he has no upper limit, and he can win the Ballon d’Or with his qualities. But everything depends only on him. I believe he will be able to show his best qualities. Ukraine is an incredibly talented country, and he is a great example for us to follow.”
Mudryk’s recent performances have sparked criticism, particularly from Maresca, who substituted him at half-time during Chelsea’s 6-2 win over Wolves. Where fellow winger Noni Madueke scored a hat-trick. Maresca explained the substitution by saying, “Because I was not happy. In some moments we can manage some situations better. He was working hard off the ball, but on the ball, I expect a bit more quality from Misha. He had some good moments today but the reason why was to change it and give Pedro some minutes.”
This substitution followed a lackluster display in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League play-off against Servette. With a crowded wing position including Madueke, Neto, Felix, Sancho, Christopher Nkunku, and Cole Palmer, Mudryk’s place in the squad could be under threat if he does not improve his performances.
Additionally, the £54 million signing of Neto serves as a stark reminder of the competition Mudryk faces. Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has been blunt in his assessment, telling ESPN after the Wolves match, “Mykhailo Mudryk is just going to be a waste of time as a starter. Pedro Neto will play there. He came on, but he will play. Mudryk is just not consistent enough.”
Despite the current criticisms and challenges, Mudryk’s raw talent remains undeniable. If he can overcome these hurdles and capitalize on his potential, he could still achieve the high accolades that Sudakov believes are within his reach.
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