Unglamorous and inconvenient, the Conference League is nonetheless likely to be important for Chelsea’s fringe players and, in spite of his price tag, Mykhailo Mudryk is increasingly in danger of becoming part of that group.
Mudryk has started two of Enzo Maresca’s three games in charge, including the 2-0 win over Servette a week ago, but his place in the pecking order suddenly appears as precarious as at any point since his £62million move from Shakhtar Donetsk 18 months ago.
The Ukrainian was hooked at half-time of Sunday’s 6-2 thrashing of Wolves for new signing Pedro Neto following another largely ineffective 45 minutes, and Chelsea were rampant in a clinical second half.
Noni Madueke hit a 15-minute hat-trick, while another new addition, Joao Felix, marked his second debut with a goal from the bench, assisted by Neto.
“I didn’t speak with Misha after Wolves,” head coach Maresca said. “He is very intelligent and he can understand the reason why we changed. You know very well when the manager changes you it’s because probably you are not doing well.”
Mudryk could keep his place for Thursday’s Conference League play-off second leg away at Servette, although that would hardly be a vote of confidence, with Chelsea in a position of strength and tentatively eyeing Sunday’s derby with Crystal Palace.
Cole Palmer, Madueke, Neto, Felix and Christopher Nkunku, who started the opening-day defeat by Manchester City on the wing, are all pushing ahead of Mudryk, and it could yet get worse for the 23-year-old, with Chelsea considering a move for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho, possibly in part-exchange for Raheem Sterling, before tomorrow’s transfer deadline.
Mudryk has felt a little like a protected species during another turbulent summer at Chelsea — the club would be unlikely to recoup anything like what they paid for him, and he has a deal until 2031 — but Sterling’s fate suggests the ownership will be ruthless with marquee signings who do not suit Maresca.
There are no more excuses for Mudryk. He must start to deliver, and tonight’s game, with the pressure largely off, should be another good opportunity to impress.
