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Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Chelsea and Tottenham rarely do business, and when they do, it gets everyone’s attention. Right now, Roberto De Zerbi is considering a move for a Chelsea player before the deadline.
Chelsea’s exodus continued this weekend as the Blues waved goodbye to Benoit Badiashile. His long-awaited move to Napoli has finally been given the green light, and he was announced on Saturday.
Plenty have already left this summer, but only five have been permanently sold – not including the loan deal for Alejandro Garnacho, which is expected to become a permanent £43m move next summer.
More are expected, with the likes of Liam Delap, Axel Disasi, Gaga Slonina and Marc Guiu set to either be sold or loaned out before the summer is done. Another player set to go on loan is Mykhailo Mudryk.
READ MORE: Chelsea’s hopes of a move for Liam Delap have taken a hit as Forest table £70m bid
Tottenham are considering Mudryk move before deadline
On Saturday, it emerged Leeds had seen an initial loan bid rejected for Mudryk. The Ukraine ace is said to be attracting interest from Frank Lampard’s Coventry, Strasbourg, and plenty of other interested suitors.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
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But if Spurs fail to get Cody Gakpo over the line, then they could attempt to persuade Chelsea to have Mudryk on loan in North London. Mudryk has worked under Roberto De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk.
What De Zerbi has said about Mudryk in the past amid Spurs links
Back in December 2022, half a season into De Zerbi’s Brighton stint, the Italian gaffer was asked about Mudryk. He had worked with Mudryk during the 2021-22. Clearly, De Zerbi rates the winger very highly.
He was quoted by Fabrizio Romano as saying: “Mudryk is a fantastic player, I think he can win the Ballon d’Or in the future. I like him as my ex-player, but I’m now Brighton coach; Brighton can’t buy Mudryk.”
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Only five players have moved from Chelsea to Tottenham
The rivalry between the two sides has often played a big role in the clubs doing business. While there are plenty of examples of players playing for both clubs, only five players have left Chelsea to join Spurs.
Especially in recent years. William Gallas, Timo Werner, Conor Gallagher, Dom Solanke, Eidur Gudjohnsen and many more have played for both. But only five have ever made the move from Chelsea to Tottenham.
Back in the fifties, Bobby Smith and Les Allen crossed the divide between west and north. Then, in the year England won the World Cup, Terry Venables made the move from Chelsea to Spurs, costing £80,000.
Gus Poyet ended a wait of 35 years before a Chelsea player moved to Spurs, completing his transfer in 2001. Chelsea icon Carlo Cudicini, who is now a loan coach at Stamford Bridge, moved back in 2009.
It has been 17 years since a Chelsea player joined Spurs. But Mudryk, thanks to the connection he has with now-Tottenham gaffer De Zerbi, could brave that divide and make a surprise move to North London.