Andriy Shevchenko has faith Mykhaylo Mudryk can still come good at Chelsea and feels those within the club still have firm belief in the winger's talents.
Mudryk, 22, has struggled since completing his £88million switch from Shakhtar Donetsk to Stamford Bridge back in January. Despite beating Arsenal to land the Ukrainian's signature in what was deemed a transfer coup, Mudryk has already faced criticism from Chelsea fans following a number of disappointing performances, with many believing he is destined to be a 'flop'.
He impressed with a lively display off the bench on his debut against Liverpool, but has started just a handful of games in the Premier League since, providing just two assists and no goals. But the turmoil surrounding Chelsea has hardly helped, with Mudryk already playing under two managers and set to work with a third when Mauricio Pochettino takes the reins this summer.
Shevchenko feels that after only six months in English football, it is still too early to judge Mudryk's performances and urged for patience among the fanbase of his former club. “He's very young, he has a lot of potential in the future," the AC Milan legend told Goal. "He's signed a very long contract with Chelsea, we should see how it's going at the end of his contract with them."
Mudryk made 17 appearances in total for Chelsea last season but the majority of those were as a substitute, while other fixtures he failed to even get on the field. Even his performances for Ukraine have been met with criticism, with ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard pointing out his error against England back in March.
“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,” Gerrard said after Bukayo Saka set up Harry Kane's opener.
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“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.”
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was also frustrated by Mudryk's display during Chelsea's 4-1 defeat to Manchester United last month. “Oh my goodness, how many times have we seen that in the first half? So rigid and stiff on the ball,” Neville said after Mudryk gave away possession. “It’s so heavy that touch it's unbelievable. That is just confidence, or a lack of it.
“It’s like he hasn’t got a picture of what he’s going to do with it before he receives it. It’s all a bit fast in his head.” Mudryk's conduct off the field has also attracted negative criticism, after he posted a video on social media appearing to mock an elderly man exercising at the gym.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi did work with the winger during his time at Shakhtar, though, and tipped Mudryk to one day win the Ballon d'Or - a challenge incoming Chelsea boss Pochettino will likely relish.
Shevchenko added: "I think [Mudryk] has quality, a strong base. Chelsea look like they believe in him, there's a new manager now, we just have to give him time and wait. That is the policy and vision of the club."
