Former Blue Frank Leboeuf has said he wouldn’t even buy Mykhailo Mudryk for £1m and described the Ukrainian as a lost cause.
Mudryk arrived at Chelsea in a deal worth an initial £62m from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, and it’s fair to say things haven’t exactly gone to plan for the 23-year-old.
The Ukraine international made an electric cameo from the bench on his debut against Liverpool at Anfield but didn’t find the back of the net in his first six months at the club, and despite showing some improvements last season he’s a long way from the finished article
Leboeuf thinks Mudryk is a lost cause
Mudryk is facing a critical season under Enzo Maresca and could well be playing for his Chelsea future given the arrival of South American wonderkids Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian in 2025.
In theory Mudryk should suit Maresca’s style of play given the Italian likes to play touchline wingers in his system who are high up the pitch and take their man on.
Mudryk is likely to be competing against Raheem Sterling for a starting spot on Chelsea’s left hand side, and he even cut short his post Euro 2024 break to be present for the club’s first day of pre-season training on Monday.
The Ukrainian has all the talent and attributes to be a top player, and it’s now just about putting it all together which is easier said than done.
However, former Blue Leboeuf appears to have given up on Mudryk describing him as a lost cause, and saying he wouldn’t even pay £1m for him.
“Mudryk has no value anymore, he’s a lost cause and Chelsea won’t make any money on him,” he told BoyleSports.
“Mudryk is so raw and he’s not getting better under many managers, there’s no improvement.
“Who would want to buy Mudryk? I wouldn’t even buy him for 10 million at the moment. In fact, I wouldn’t even buy him for £1m. Why would you want to spend money on a player who is not in any way productive.”
It certainly seems harsh and slightly unfair, but there’s no doubt that Mudryk really needs to step up next season and show everyone he can become the player Chelsea believe he can be.