Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has backed Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk to impress in the coming weeks despite a mixed start to life in England. The 22-year-old winger has failed to make the impact he would have wanted after joining for £62m in January.
After looking bright and lively in his debut cameo against Liverpool at Anfield the Ukraine international has found himself in-and-out of the side in recent weeks as Graham Potter tries to find his best team. With Arsenal also chasing the exciting youngster throughout the past six months his struggle has only been further highlighted with alternative Leandro Trossard hitting the ground running at the Emirates Stadium.
Mudryk was preferred to Christian Pulisic in the starting line-up against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday though with Joao Felix and Kai Havertz partnering him in the same front three that helped to beat Leicester before the break. Hasselbaink can see him making waves in the league in the near future.
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"I expect a lot from him today," the former Blues striker said. "I’ve seen him last week, very sharp, made brilliant runs. He’s still learning the game, still learning to settle in England but he’s very direct and I think he can hurt Villa today with his directness. If they utilise him at the right times he can give Villa a big problem today."
Mudryk has had a testing time in recent weeks after struggling against England at Wembley last week in a 2-0 defeat. He was also picked apart by Steven Gerrard for playing a role in Bukayo Saka's stunning strike in the first half.
"From a Ukraine point of view, it’s fantastic play from England as they open the pitch up, but you would be really disappointed if you’re the coach with Mudryk," the ex-Aston Villa manager said.
"With all due respect he is still learning the game but you know that you need to keep Saka on his right foot, you can’t allow him to come in on that left foot because it’s a wand and he gets it right on the money."
Outside of being yet to score and only recording one assist in his time at SW6, Mudryk's workrate and knowhow off the ball has also been criticised. Such is the quality difference between the Ukrainian league and the Premier League his adaption period had been explained by Potter.
The English boss said before the break: "Every player wants to play and it’s important that players play to improve, I think that’s a fact. But at the same time, it’s not a straight road, it’s not just a play and everything happens in a linear way. Sometimes you have to take a step away.
"Sometimes you just need a bit of training time, you need a breather. Lots of factors. Hopefully, he can benefit from the time he’s had. It’s not easy for him to just arrive in the middle of pre-season for him and to come into a new country, new club, new league, and just hit his absolute maximum level."
Mudryk was denied his first goal in Chelsea colours early on in the game after Emi Martinez's low save kept him out.
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