Latest Chelsea news as Mykhailo Mudryk could be suffering from a fresh injury after his altercation with Kyle Walker
Mykhailo Mudryk could be returning to west London with an injury following a duel with Kyle Walker that did not go the way of the Chelsea man. In a 2024 European championship qualifier, Ukraine were playing host to England in Poland with Mudryk starting on the left and thus meaning Man City's Walker was faced with the task of stopping him..
The second 45 minutes was filled with close moments, including Bukayo Saka hitting the crossbar and Ukraine continuing to push forward. However, Mudryk, despite his best efforts, rarely troubled Jordan Pickford's goal with Walker certainly winning the individual battle.
That fact was highlighted twice in the late stages as Walker first eased Mudryk's lightening run out of play before he dispossessed the 22-year-old after his failed Cruyff turn which saw him fall to the deck holding his calf. Earlier in the half he received treatment after being on the end of a firm Marcus Rashford challenge but managed to continue, however this time he requested to be replaced.
His lack of Premier League minutes was perhaps highlighted by what looked to be cramp in the final knockings and Chelsea will certainly be hoping there is no muscular injury. Mudryk has already missed a small part of the new campaign with injury and, despite a bright pre-season, has struggled to make a lasting impact.
"I have been playing left-back and then left wing-back and now I am, again, higher up the pitch. I expect the pressure on me to contribute to goals. That’s something I am going to work on at Chelsea over the next few games to add that goal threat. [I need to] shoot, instead of passing the ball."