Chelsea player was meant to be the next Neymar, now become the worst transfer.

Mauricio Pochettino continues to grapple with finding the optimal starting lineup since his appointment as Chelsea manager last summer. The club’s extensive spending in recent years has compounded the challenge, leaving Pochettino with a surplus of players and difficult selection decisions.

Amidst this roster abundance, certain players have seized the opportunity to showcase their worth, with Cole Palmer emerging as a standout performer. The English midfielder has impressed with 21 goal contributions in just 29 appearances for the Blues, making a compelling case for regular inclusion in the starting XI.

Conversely, some players have struggled to acclimate to the demands of the league, failing to justify their substantial price tags and the accompanying expectations.

The first impression of Mykhailo Mudryk

Before his arrival in England, Mykhalo Mudryk had garnered widespread acclaim as one of Europe’s most promising wingers. His standout performance against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, where he contributed a goal and two assists while representing Shakhtar Donetsk, firmly established his reputation on the continental stage.

Remarkably, that match marked Mudryk’s sole start in the European campaign. Nevertheless, Chelsea were sufficiently impressed to secure his services for a staggering £88 million in January 2023, despite his relatively limited experience at the highest level.

Having opted to join Chelsea over keen suitors Arsenal, the young forward quickly became a favourite among the Blues faithful. Hopes were high for the emergence of the “Ukrainian Neymar,” a moniker earned due to comparisons drawn by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, who noted similarities in their pace, dribbling, technique, ball control, creativity, and flair.

In Mudryk’s inaugural start, Chelsea supporters caught a glimpse of his potential as he entered the fray as a second-half substitute at Anfield. He caused considerable trouble for opponents James Milner and Trent Alexander-Arnold, successfully completing 2 out of 3 dribbles and winning 6 out of 8 ground duels. However, he also displayed his rawness by squandering two significant scoring opportunities.

Despite the promising debut, the 5-foot-9 prodigy’s journey hasn’t unfolded entirely as anticipated since then.

Mykhalo Mudryk’s 2023/24 season

As of late, Mudryk finds himself on the sidelines, with no starts in Chelsea’s last six matches and not even a minute of play in their previous three outings. Despite tallying three goals and two assists in 19 appearances this season, his recent absence from the pitch raises questions about his role within the squad.

While Mudryk’s statistics aren’t abysmal, they pale in comparison to his positional competitors. Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling, each boasting seven and six league goals, respectively, have proven more prolific in the left-wing role Mudryk vies for.

Sterling, especially, has faced criticism during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, earning labels like “too clumsy,” notably from former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf. Nonetheless, Sterling’s ability to deliver in crucial moments, exemplified by his recent goal against former club Manchester City, underscores his value on the field.

Mudryk’s FBref scouting report from the last 365 days also indicates that he ranks among the lowest for some key metrics across Europe’s top five leagues.

In retrospect, the acquisition of Mudryk, labeled “absolutely useless” by talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, may epitomize Todd Boehly’s tenure at Chelsea. This serves as a reminder that exorbitant spending doesn’t always yield immediate success or quality, a point underscored by Mudryk’s underwhelming performance thus far.

While Mudryk is still in the early stages of his career with ample room for growth, unless there’s a significant upturn in his performance, he may struggle to validate the enormous fee Chelsea invested in him.