Mykhailo Mudryk has struggled to get his feet under the table at Chelsea but Mauricio Pochettino can help him get his head down and fulfil his lofty potential
Son explains Pochettino advice which will transform Mudryk into Chelsea star (Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Five years ago, Son Heung-min revealed how Mauricio Pochettino helped him become one of the Premier League’s most feared wingers. With Mykhailo Mudryk yet to truly establish himself at Stamford Bridge, the newly-appointed Chelsea manager can rework his magic and help the Ukrainian fulfil his potential.
Despite having shown glimpses of magic, Mudryk has struggled to impress since arriving in the English top flight. The 22-year-old winger was first linked with a move to Arsenal, only for the Blues to swoop in and hijack negotiations at the eleventh hour.
Initial talks between the Gunners and Shakhtar Donetsk were thought to have progressed well before a bid was tabled. Arsenal remained in contact with the Ukrainian side and, at one stage, they were confident that they would win the race for his signature.
But, then, Chelsea matched the north Londoners’ bid, which was later revealed to be a better-structured offer — just hours later Mudryk was unveiled to supporters at Stamford Bridge. While the winger is yet to score his first goal, he’s only ever completed 90 minutes in the Premier League once.
Starting just six games and being brought off the bench in eight, Mudryk hasn’t been given a run of games to get his feet under the table. So, with Pochettino on the training pitches at Cobham, he’ll be hoping to follow on in the footsteps of Son.
In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2018, the South Korea international recalled the instructions from his former Tottenham boss which elevated his performances. Son said: “He has encouraged that (running) in me.
“Football is about scoring and if you want to that, you have to go forward. That is what he wants me to do. I don’t want to do difficult things, just go straight.
“When I first joined I was not like this. The gaffer taught me a lot about my movement and off the ball I have changed a lot. It’s difficult to say what he was thinking in that meeting.
“It doesn’t matter now. I am just really happy I am still here. He has made things better. I am really thankful.”
Mudryk has showcased his exceptional raw ability in recent weeks so, with the help of Pochettino, he can become the 51-year-old’s next Son. But there’s one problem. If the Ukrainian is the ‘next Son’ then who will be the ‘next Harry Kane’?
Soucre: football.london
