Things have grown eerily quiet at Chelsea recently. After a stretch of victories followed by a fiercely contested draw, the team quickly approached the second international break under manager Enzo Maresca, leaving fans wanting for more engagement and updates.
Most of the squad has taken off to represent their national teams, scattered around the globe. While a handful of players continue to hone their skills at Cobham alongside a selection of promising youth talent, the general atmosphere has shifted to one of relaxation and recovery.
In the preceding international window, there were reports of discord among club owners regarding control over operations. Now, however, a sense of calm has returned, but that is set to change as Maresca prepares for the inevitable return to the daily grind of football.
Mudryk’s Inspiring Performance
Mykhailo Mudryk netted his first goal of the season, leading Ukraine to a 1-0 victory over Georgia last Friday. This marks his third international goal, with two being scored in the current year, the latest following a lengthy wait since March.
Although Mudryk has struggled to replicate similar form with Chelsea, he displayed signs of resurgence during a brief appearance off the bench against Nottingham Forest. This newfound confidence appeared to carry over into his performance against Georgia.
Under the watchful eye of new Liverpool goalkeeper Georgi Mamardashvili, Mudryk found the ball on the left but misdirected his initial pass. However, he quickly regained possession, surged towards goal, and unleashed a low shot that found the net at Mamardashvili’s near post. With three assists already to his credit with Chelsea, Mudryk is keen to elevate his performance levels in training to secure a regular place in the starting XI.
This goal, coming at such a crucial moment, is particularly poignant; it was at Anfield back in February 2023 that the winger made his debut as a late substitute. That day offered a tantalizing peek into the potential behind a signing worth £62 million, with the possibility of exceeding £80 million due to add-ons.
As Chelsea prepares for their next encounter at Merseyside, Mudryk hopes to channel that electrifying spirit and influence. Although a starting spot is unlikely, having Mudryk in full flight—armed with confidence and better control—could prove invaluable.
There remain questions about how to optimally utilize his undeniable talents. Establishing some form of consistency would undoubtedly be a vital step forward after a challenging beginning to his Chelsea career.
Nkunku’s Future Under Scrutiny
Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku has been advised to seek opportunities elsewhere this season to secure regular Premier League action. With only a single start under his belt, he finds himself on the periphery of Maresca’s preferred selection for pivotal matches.
Nicolas Jackson has been consistently preferred as the frontline option, while Cole Palmer commands the midfield. This has led to a frustrating beginning for Nkunku, despite him accumulating eight goals across club and international fixtures thus far.
Following his first goal for France on Thursday and contributions in both the Conference League and Carabao Cup, the scarcity of Premier League minutes wasn’t part of Nkunku’s plans when joining Chelsea.
Dean Saunders believes a move is necessary for Nkunku to thrive. “Chelsea has an abundance of talent, and not all can fit into the team,
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