Photo by Asuka Chan/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Asuka Chan/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Mykhailo Mudryk was one of many players to leave Chelsea on deadline day, joining Tottenham along with defender Tosin Adarabioyo. Alasdair Gold has some inside knowledge of the deal.
Having not played competitively since November 2024, Mudryk’s suspension after a failed drugs test was finally lifted in the summer. He has reunited with his old Shakhtar Donetsk manager Roberto De Zerbi.
But with Chelsea boasting so many options out wide, and Mudryk desperately needing game time, a loan was the best move for all parties. The Ukrainian winger was very keen to remain in the Premier League.
That is, despite Chelsea’s preference being a move to Strasbourg. Dario Essugo has since taken the third loan spot at the French club, and Mudryk joined Spurs. Chelsea’s rivals have a £75m option in the deal.
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Alasdair Gold on what Chelsea insiders told Spurs about Mudryk
For Spurs, it is a big risk. Not playing football for so long means it will be a while before Mudryk is back to his best, but Chelsea hope that under his old manager, he has the best platform to return to his old self.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
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In turn, that will either see Chelsea receive a quality winger next summer, or receive a £75m fee. Speaking on his podcast, Football London reporter Alasdair Gold shares what Chelsea insiders told Tottenham.
“He was not impressive for Chelsea. Little glimpses, but speaking to people around Chelsea, his decision-making was poor. That’s what De Zerbi will need to fix; get him back to what he had at Shakhtar.”
What is Chelsea’s best-case scenario with Mykhailo Mudryk?
Mudryk’s loan can go one of three ways. The first is that he either flops or struggles to get the game time required, and that doesn’t benefit anyone. He would return to Chelsea, but face being back at square one.
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The second is he sparkles for Spurs – and that could prompt one of two things. Either Chelsea decide to bring him back, as long as Spurs don’t activate the £75m clause, or Spurs do actually spend big on him.
For now, Mudryk remains a complete unknown after such a long time out. But De Zerbi once said he could win the Ballon d’Or. To play for a manager with that level of faith in you can only be a good thing.