Maresca Thrilled as Mudryk Shines in Chelsea’s Conference League Triumph
Enzo Maresca couldn’t hide his delight after Mykahilo Mudryk’s standout performance in Chelsea’s commanding 4-1 victory over Panathinaikos in the Conference League on Thursday night.
Chelsea made it two wins from two in the competition’s group stage, following up their previous victory against Gent. The Blues fielded a completely different lineup, with Maresca making 11 changes after their disappointing loss to Liverpool last weekend.
Mudryk’s Moment to Shine
Mudryk and Joao Felix, both left out of the Liverpool clash, were given the chance to make an impact—and they didn’t disappoint. Mudryk, in particular, seized the opportunity to remind everyone of his potential after facing scrutiny earlier this season.
The Ukrainian winger was electric from the start, linking up beautifully with Felix to set up Chelsea’s opener. Shortly after halftime, Mudryk doubled Chelsea’s lead with a powerful header from a precise Pedro Neto cross, capping off a superb individual performance.
Mudryk and Felix were at it again for Chelsea’s third goal. Felix fired in a deflected shot to bag his second of the night, once again assisted by Mudryk’s clever play.
For Mudryk, it was exactly the kind of performance he needed to regain confidence and stake his claim for more regular playing time. Maresca now has some decisions to make ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Newcastle on Sunday.
Maresca Praises Mudryk’s Growth
After the match, Maresca was full of praise for Mudryk, even sharing a celebratory moment with the 23-year-old after his goal. Speaking to reporters, Maresca revealed, “[I’m] very happy for him. We spend a lot of time helping the players. We’ve been working with the wingers to get them into the box, and he’s starting to get there. He struggled before, but now he’s making progress. Not just him, but also Pedro, Jadon, and Noni.”
Maresca also acknowledged that Mudryk’s development has been slower than others, but he’s pleased with the winger’s improvement.
Eyes on Newcastle
With his impressive showing in Athens, Mudryk has given Maresca plenty to think about ahead of the weekend. As Chelsea prepare for a crucial Premier League encounter with Newcastle, Mudryk will be hoping his performance has earned him a spot in the starting lineup. With Jadon Sancho still waiting for his chance, Mudryk could be in line for just his second league start of the season.
Chelsea’s fans will be eager to see if Mudryk can carry his European form into the domestic stage, as the Blues look to build on their Conference League success.
