Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has openly discussed the difficulties Mykhailo Mudryk has faced since his £90 million transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian winger has struggled to regain his former form and secure a consistent starting spot at Stamford Bridge. This has been further complicated by reports of a failed doping test. In response, Maresca has offered words of encouragement, expressing confidence in Mudryk’s eventual success.
Mudryk has had a challenging start to his Chelsea career, appearing in only 15 matches this season and starting just one league game under Maresca. His performance has not met expectations. Throughout the season, Maresca has regularly addressed Mudryk’s progress, highlighting both his struggles and improvements.
Earlier in the season, Maresca noted Mudryk’s slow adaptation to the Premier League. In October, he said, “We’re working with him and all the wingers. They need to arrive inside the box, like where Misha scored.
He’s struggled to get there, but now he’s starting to.” Maresca also acknowledged that Mudryk’s learning curve was slower than some of his teammates, but expressed confidence that Mudryk would gradually improve and become more impactful for the team. In September, Maresca added that Mudryk wasn’t lacking confidence but needed more time to adjust. In August, after a disappointing performance against Wolves, Maresca criticized Mudryk’s quality on the ball, despite his hard work off it.
In response to the doping allegations, Maresca reassured the player, saying, “Don’t be disheartened by this news, there is definitely a mistake somewhere. We are going to pull through this situation together.”
Maresca’s words reflect his belief that there may be an explanation for the failed test, underscoring his ongoing support for Mudryk. Despite previous critiques, Maresca’s recent comments show his continued commitment to helping Mudryk succeed at Chelsea. The club is awaiting further investigation into the matter.
