“Please don’t sell him” “He’s the future star of the club” – Enzo Maresca warns Chelsea against selling Chelsea star
Mykhailo Mudryk’s outstanding performance in the Conference League match against Panathinaikos on October 24 was praised by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. Following their 4-2 triumph over Gent in the competition’s opening round, the Blues won 4-1 in Athens.
Christopher Nkunku, Mudryk, and Joao Felix all scored goals as Chelsea demonstrated their dominance against the Greek team.
In January 2023, Mudryk paid £88.5 million to join Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk, but he hasn’t been able to consistently contribute since. The Ukrainian winger struggled to establish a consistent starting position and was criticized for his performances.
But in the match against Panathinaikos, the 23-year-old put on a strong display, making a substantial contribution with a goal and two assists.
The winger was involved in three of Chelsea’s goals, setting up Joao Felix’s opener in the 22nd minute, scoring his own goal early in the second half, and then assisting Felix’s second goal in the 55th minute. His performance earned high praise from Maresca, who expressed his delight over Mudryk’s contributions in Greece. “I’m very happy to see Mudryk there, in that position and scoring that goal,” said Maresca, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
Maresca also noted the winger’s progress, though he acknowledged that Mudryk’s development has been slower compared to some of Chelsea’s other wingers. “Mykhailo’s learning process is more slow compared to the other wingers but he is improving,” the manager added, suggesting that while Mudryk may not have reached his full potential yet, he is showing signs of growth.
Since joining Chelsea, Mudryk has made 67 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists. Despite his challenges adapting to life in west London, his latest display has given fans and the coaching staff hope for a turnaround in form.
Maresca didn’t limit his praise to Mudryk, also acknowledging the versatility of another Chelsea player, Renato Veiga.
The 21-year-old, who usually plays as a left-back, was utilized as a left center-back against Panathinaikos, showcasing his ability to adapt to different positions. Veiga has also played as a midfielder in his career, displaying a wide range of skills across the pitch.
Reflecting on Veiga’s adaptability, Maresca said, “Renato, I just said to him inside the changing room, he has played as a center-back, full-back, holding midfielder, attacking midfielder.” The manager emphasized the importance of versatility in modern football, noting, “The reason why I love Chelsea is because many players can be versatile. It is better for the team and for the players. Today, if you just play one position, I don’t think it’s enough: you need to learn to play more positions.”
Chelsea’s win against Panathinaikos marks a positive step in their European campaign, with the team showing encouraging signs of flexibility and improvement under Maresca’s guidance. The Blues will aim to carry this momentum into their next Premier League match against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on October 27.