Chelsea have made it clear in January that they want a new injection of talent in their forward positions. Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke have been added to Graham Potter's ranks this month as the Blues look to move up the Premier League table.
Mudryk produced an exciting cameo against Liverpool to whet the appetite of supporters with his talents. Potter has suggested he will work with the former Shakhtar Donetsk winger and Madueke to help them settle into their surroundings but noted the former simply required 'fine-tuning'.
While many would have liked to see a midfield transition over the course of this season, the Blues have appeared to hope to reinvigorate their options in forward positions. The rapid introduction of Mudryk and Joao Felix to proceedings, following injuries to Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic, suggests it is deemed an area of improvement.
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That was also true in the summer when Raheem Sterling was deemed a 'priority' by Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea completed the £45million signing. Potter's description of Mudryk's qualities - 'dangerous in one-vs-one situations, in the final third he can make things happen, he’ll get supporters of their seats' - perhaps even mirror what someone would suggest of Sterling.
Like Mudryk, Sterling wasted little time in showing the difference he could offer Chelsea. In a laboured Chelsea outing against Everton on the opening day of the season, Sterling was a hive of activity and quickly showed his ability to beat a player. That is something Chelsea have lacked in recent seasons.
The former Manchester City star has drawn a number of questions for his struggles in front of goal, however. After netting three Premier League goals in August, Sterling did not find the net again until his strike helped the Blues to a draw against Nottingham Forest. Nevertheless, he has contributed to more goals than his teammates with six strikes of his own and three assists.
Chelsea's struggles have left Sterling's transfer as far from being perceived as a success. Even with the England international thriving from a wingback-like position in Potter's first match as Chelsea boss against Red Bull Salzburg, Sterling has struggled to exhibit his qualities as easily.
Potter admitted as much. "It’s been a challenge for him but it’s been a challenging period for everybody," Potter said during his press conference. "There’s been a lot of change and a lot has happened, so in that regard, it’s not easy to completely settle or hit the ground running.
"There is more to come from Raheem I’m sure but he gives his best every day and we need to help him get to the level we know he can reach."
However, Potter has had a more familiar refrain when discussing Sterling and the struggles of other Chelsea players. In the latter months of 2022 the former Brighton coach was keen to direct issues towards failures of the team and system as a whole.
He explained on one occasion: "I think it's more a team thing. We have to try to do better as a team and try to improve our attacking play as a team, and if you do that, then individuals within the team function better.
"Rather than go the other way and focus on individuals, I always like to look at how the team plays and functions, and there is lots of room for improvement in that area which will help everybody, including Raheem."
So, while Mudryk and Madueke are sure to inject some ingenuity and intensity, the team must also develop as they are embedded into the squad to take advantage. There may be some early frustrations for the new signings as they enter a new environment, and like Sterling, their qualities may not immediately be taken advantage of on all occasions.
New transfers are sure to improve the team, but Graham Potter will know Chelsea need to improve in all areas to progress.
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