Mykhailo Mudryk reminded Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino of his capabilities and increased pressure on the underperforming winger Raheem Sterling.

During Chelsea’s recent 3-2 victory over Newcastle, Mudryk entered the field as a substitute and scored a remarkable individual goal, maneuvering past a defender and the goalkeeper before finding the net.

This goal elevated Mudryk’s tally to four goals and two assists in a Chelsea jersey, accumulated from nine starts and 908 minutes of play in the Premier League this season. In contrast, the player he replaced, Sterling, has recorded six goals and three assists from 21 starts and 1819 minutes.

Arriving at Chelsea for €100 million in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk, Mudryk’s tenure at Stamford Bridge has been deemed largely disappointing, leading to a decline in his standing within the team. He even contemplated leaving the club during the January transfer window.

Regarding criticism from manager Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine coach has publicly rebuked Mudryk on multiple occasions in recent months. In January, Pochettino asserted that Mudryk wasn’t aligning with the team’s ethos, likening his approach to that of a selfish player.

Pochettino emphasized the importance of form and meritocracy, stating that consistent performance and dedication in training sessions determine playing time. While acknowledging Mudryk’s remarkable quality and potential, Pochettino underscored that football is a collective sport, not an individual pursuit like tennis.

Mudryk’s standout performance against Newcastle likely influenced Pochettino’s perspective on team selection at Chelsea.