- Ukraine international signed in January
- Has struggled for form
- On target during tour of United States
WHAT HAPPENED? The Ukraine international joined the Blues in a big-money deal during the January transfer window. He attracted plenty of criticism for his performances in 2022-23 as he went 17 games without finding the target for the Blues. Mudryk figured for his country at the U21 European Championship this summer in a bid to rediscover a spark, and looked lively during a 4-3 friendly win for Chelsea over Premier League rivals Brighton in Philadelphia. Mudryk scored the Blues’ second goal in that contest, with the fleet-footed 22-year-old winger putting the finishing touches to a flowing one-touch move
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Summer signing Christopher Nkunku was also on target for Chelsea, along with Conor Gallagher and another new recruit, Nicolas Jackson. Brighton staged a late fightback on American soil, to pull within one goal of familiar foes, but the 10-man Seagulls ultimately came up short following Jan Paul van Hecke’s second-half sending off.
WHAT NEXT? Chelsea – who have already overcome Wrexham 5-0 in their pre-season programme – will be back in action against Newcastle on Wednesday, with further friendly outings against Fulham and Borussia Dortmund to come before opening their 2023-24 campaign at home to Liverpool on August 13.