It’s clear that Churchill, the Ukrainian winger, has hit a rough patch in his Chelsea career. Just four months after signing a deal worth up to £89m, the 23-year-old appears to be struggling for consistency and has been relegated to a backup role under new coach Enzo Maresca.
The problem, according to Serhiy Palkin, the general director of Shakhtar Donetsk, the club that developed Mudryk, lies not with the player but with the team. Palkin, who knows Mudryk well, believes that Chelsea need to find a way to get the best out of the talented winger, who has already shown his potential in European competitions.
Mudryk’s situation is a curiosity, to say the least. He has played in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, as well as the first half of a Premier League match against Wolves, but his opportunities have been limited. It’s a far cry from the regular starts he enjoyed at Shakhtar, where he blossomed into a star.
Palkin echoed the sentiment, saying, “You don’t need a Ferrari if you don’t know how to drive it. A normal car will do. If you buy a Ferrari, you should think about how to handle it.” He believes that Chelsea’s inability to develop Mudryk’s skills has hindered his progress, while also acknowledging that the player has the potential to be a “difference maker” when given the chance.
As it stands, Mudryk appears to be the latest victim of Chelsea’s managerial merry-go-round. In less than two years, he has played under four different bosses, including Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor, Frank Lampard, and Mauricio Pochettino. It’s a recipe for confusion and inconsistency, which may explain why Mudryk has failed to make the impact many expected of him.
With his talent and potential, Mudryk has the capacity to light up the Premier League. However, Palkin’s words serve as a harsh reminder that even the most gifted players need the right environment to flourish. Whether Chelsea can provide that remains to be seen.
