Former star Andriy Shevchenko has sent some advice to fellow countryman after his difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea hijacked Arsenal’s transfer for Mudryk in January, buying the winger in a deal worth £88million and signing him to a staggering eight-and-a-half-year contract.
So far however, the move has not gone to plan, with the 22-year-old yet to score for his new club and having registered just one assist in his first seven appearances for the Blues.
It’s a far cry from his time at Shakhtar Donetsk where he had recorded 18 goal contributions in 18 games this season prior to his transfer.
He is still young however and tipped to have a bright future in England once Graham Potter gets his side going and legendary striker Shevchenko has urged fans to be patient with Mudryk.
‘What worked for me in Milan and London was immersing myself in the culture, studying the language so I can communicate with my team-mates,’ the former Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan and Chelsea star told .
‘That will help him acclimatise quicker, which is important when you move to any country in the world. On the pitch, the club and the manager will provide him with everything he needs to raise his level.
‘Chelsea have bought a talented player when he is very young, for the future. He’s just starting his path in a massive football career.
‘But his first step has been the right step, coming to Chelsea. He’s part of an ambitious project. He’s in good hands.’
Shevchenko knows all about how pressure can mount after a big money move, having joined Chelsea for a then-club record fee back in 2006, winning the FA Cup and League Cup in his two seasons in west London.
The Ballon d’Or winner’s Blues career wasn’t as successful as hoped however, scoring just 22 goals in 77 games compared to the 173 in 296 he got for Milan.
He added, in quotes reported by the Press Association: ‘The decision to get him [Mudryk] right now was down to how much the club believe in his talent. He’s on a very long contract, that’s very unusual. Chelsea are investing in their future.
‘The Premier League usually demands results right now, but let’s see how he does in these eight years. Let’s see what he can do in the long term. The club must be patient with him, believe in his talent.’
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