Chelsea Specials - Mudryk reflection after his first goal for Chelsea

The wide expression that covered Mykhailo Mudryk's face was a self-sufficient narrative. The 22-year-old Chelsea youngster had just scored a goal after eight months on the team. It was a well-earned occasion for celebration. Chelsea acquired Mudryk in January. He came from Shakhtar Donetsk, which had not participated in a competitive match in the previous two months. But the winger's debut, a cameo on the bench against Liverpool at Anfield, was a demonstration of his undeniable skill. It took time, as it would with any new addition. Mudryk had to get used to a new environment, including a new nation, culture, and club. And all of this had to take place as his country was being invaded by Russia.

Mudryk has put in the work at Cobham, often performing additional post-training drills, and as the season has gone on, he has gained the respect of head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
"You get a better understanding of the main things the manager wants from the team with every game and training session," Mudryk said following his first goal in blue, which came on Monday night at Craven Cottage against Fulham. As a result, you continue to advance and get better. Then, on the pitch, you must demonstrate this. Mudryk scored a well-executed goal for Chelsea in his debut. Moises Caicedo made a beautiful cross-field pass to Levi Colwill, who moved down the flank and lobbed the ball over Issa Diop to open the move.

The star man from Ukraine brought the ball down on his chest and maintained his calm to direct his shot between the legs of Bernd Leno, the Fulham custodian. A first goal is always special for me, as Mudryk said, so this is a wonderful moment for me. I'm overjoyed and grateful for this opportunity for our supporters. It's a significant time for me and everyone who has helped me. You have to realize that this [waiting for a goal] sometimes occurs. Moments will come; you just have to keep working hard.

Mudryk made his fourth consecutive start for Chelsea against Craven Cottage, but the winger's evening was cut short at halftime due to what Pochettino claimed was discomfort in his quadriceps. But the Blues' head coach explained why Mudryk has recently established himself as a regular in our attack's left side. He was given the opportunity to play because he had earned it and had demonstrated in practice that he had earned it. He has been really committed, and his performance in practice gives us the confidence to start him.

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