23 October 2023 , 19:21
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Mauricio Pochettino has told Mykhaylo Mudryk he "needs to improve" if he wants to stay in Chelsea's starting XI.
Mudryk, 22, found the net in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday but has made a slow start to his Chelsea career. The Ukraine international has scored just two goals and provided two assists in 23 Premier League outings for the Blues.
Pochettino is expecting much more from Mudryk, who arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk in a £89million deal in January. It will be difficult for Mudryk to remain in Chelsea's starting XI if he doesn't deliver the goods, as Pochettino has a lot of wingers at his disposal.
Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Ian Maatsen are also pushing for a spot in Pochettino's side. The Chelsea boss wants Mudryk to earn his place in the team, as he believes there is much more to come from the expensive talent.
Mudryk made way for Nicolas Jackson in the 66th minute of Chelsea's clash with Arsenal. Pochettino was asked whether Mudryk was hooked because he 'ran out of gas', to which the manager replied: "No. I think he played well, but he also needs to improve.
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"For me, he is still not at his best. I think we needed to make a change to add a little bit more pressure with Jackson in front. In that situation, we created a few chances and the game was closer to 3-0 than 2-1."
Chelsea were leading 2-0 when Mudryk came off on Saturday, with Palmer also scoring. Yet Arsenal recovered when Declan Rice took advantage of a mistake from Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Leandro Trossard scored a late equaliser.
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Pochettino added: "I think we lost two points. We are disappointed but you can not change the analysis and the judgement of the game. We were very competitive against a very good team fighting for the Premier League (title) last season.
"We are a young team and I think the way we competed is a lot to be proud, but we’re disappointed because after 77 minutes when we conceded the first goal I think we were better. The game was under control and we were playing well and dominating the game.
"But when you concede there is a risk. Yes, we’re disappointed but we have to take positive things (from the result)."
Pochettino will need Mudryk to be at his best if Chelsea are to climb the table. Pochettino's side have made a slow start to the season, picking up just 12 points from their first nine games to sit in 10th. Yet they are four games unbeaten in all competitions.