Stevie Nicol believes Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke can be “absolute dynamite” for Chelsea if they improve in the final third.
It’s been another difficult campaign for the Blues, with their inexperienced squad struggling to compete over the course of the season.
Despite that, Chelsea can still qualify for Europe with the club two points behind Newcastle in seventh, and three behind Manchester United in sixth with just four games remaining.
Nicol believes Chelsea pair have real potential
It’s goes without saying the Blues lack experience, but they have some players with a lot of talent who just need refining.
Mudryk and Madueke both fall into that category, but the pair have showed improvement this season following their arrivals in January 2023.
The Ukrainian has scored six goals this season, but has shown supporters glimpses of what he can do, with his goal against Newcastle standing out.
Madueke has had to be patient, but the 22-year-old is now having the best spell of his Chelsea career, and is a constant threat to opposition defences.
Nicol believes the pair have real potential, but warned they need to improve in the final third.
“If the two of them (Madueke and Mudryk) figure it out in the final third, then absolute dynamite”, he told ESPN.
“Because every time they get it, they make you sit up, especially Mudryk, he makes you sit up because you are not quite sure, and Madueke is beginning to do that.
“He makes you sit up a little bit. If the two of them can start putting something on the end of all that, then they will be a handful.”
Confidence is so important for young players, and with injuries the pair have managed to have a consistent run in the side which is paying dividends on the pitch.
There is no doubt about the talent, it’s going to be a case of whether Chelsea can create an environment that allows them to flourish and reach their potential.
