Chelsea players were left ‘surprised’ by Todd Boehly’s decision to introduce Mykhailo Mudryk and his entourage inside the dressing room before a Premier League game this season. The Blues completed an £88million transfer hijack to sign Mudryk ahead of London rivals Arsenal in January.
The Ukraine international was officially unveiled at Stamford Bridge during the half-time break in Chelsea’s match against Crystal Palace on January 15. Mudryk has had a difficult start to life in west London and found himself playing a rotation role as opposed to being a regular starter.
The 22-year-old has provided two assists in 12 appearances for the Blues so far during a tough second half of the season for Chelsea. The west London outfit have been dumped out of the Champions League and sit 11th in the Premier League after sacking Graham Potter and replacing him with Frank Lampard until the end of the season.
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According to MailOnline, some of Chelsea’s players and staff were left surprised by Boehly’s decision to interrupt pre-match preparations by allowing Mudryk and the winger’s advisors to enter the changing room at Stamford Bridge. The report goes on to claim that there is a ‘growing discontent’ among the squad, with many players considering their futures ahead of the summer transfer window.
With such a large playing squad, there is likely to be many departures from the club this summer with Boehly looking to reduce their huge wage bill and abide by Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Some Chelsea players are now facing a significant wage reduction following their exit from the Champions League, with European football looking highly unlikely next term.
Lampard stressed after the Blues were knocked out of the Champions League exit at the hands of reigning champions Real Madrid on Tuesday evening that some players of his squad still need time to adjust to English football - which could include Mudryk. The Chelsea caretaker boss said: "There are some players that are maybe quite new here, getting used to the club and that maybe isn’t easy.
"Some of the greatest players in the Premier League, when they first arrive they need sometimes need some time and sometimes they arrive and they’re put in and they find their feet and you see them flying. So maybe there’s a reason with some of our players where they need transitioning but in terms of motivation, you’re playing for Chelsea.
"There’s individual motivations throughout the squad and there’s a collective. And for me, you have to be competitive with everything we do every day and to get into the team you have to show it."
Chelsea fans may see a different Mudryk next term after a full pre-season with the club and more time to adjust to his new surroundings. However, the squad will continue to change drastically along with a new manager being appointed, which may lead to more difficulties at Stamford Bridge.
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