'He struggled to arrive there, but now he’s improving.'— Maresca Praises Mudryk’s Breakthrough Performance in Chelsea’s 4-1 Victory

Chelsea secured a strong 4-1 victory against Panathinaikos in the Conference League on Thursday night. This win, which took place in Athens, was their second in a row in the competition after beating Gent on matchday one. However, the game’s actual best moment was Mykhailo Mudryk’s incredible performance, for which manager Enzo Maresca gave him special praise.

Different from the squad that lost to Liverpool, Maresca started 11 different players for this match. Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk, who were both eager to prove themselves after missing the Liverpool match, were among those given an opportunity.

Despite his competence being questioned a lot this season, Mudryk performed admirably when it mattered. The 23-year-old showed his skills and reminded everyone of his talent, helping Chelsea dominate the game.

Early on in the match, Mudryk’s influence was undeniable. He helped Chelsea score their first goal by working skillfully with Joao Felix. Their partnership looked clear and full of potential, giving fans a taste of what they can do together. Shortly after halftime, Mudryk doubled Chelsea’s lead by scoring a header from a perfect Pedro Neto cross.

Joao Felix and Mudryk teamed up again later in the match, and Felix scored Chelsea’s third goal via a deflection. Mudryk played a key part in the attack, and his performance greatly increased his self-confidence.

The 4-1 victory was a great team effort for Chelsea, but it was a major personal success for Mudryk. He proved that he can perform very well when needed after receiving criticism earlier in the season.

After the match, manager Enzo Maresca praised Mudryk’s play and expressed his satisfaction with his progress. Speaking in his post-match interview, Maresca explained how much the team has been working with Mudryk to improve his positioning and attacking play.

“I’m very happy for him,” Maresca said. “We’ve been working a lot with the wingers, helping them get into the box more. Mudryk has struggled with that before, but now he’s getting there, as we saw with his goal. He’s improving, not just for himself but for the team.”

Although Maresca admitted that Mudryk’s learning process has been a little more slower than others’, he is positive about the young player’s development.

The major question is whether Mudryk will start for Chelsea against Newcastle in the Premier League after his impressive performance. Given that Jadon Sancho isn’t playing in this game, Mudryk has a high chance of starting his second league game of the year and getting more playing time.