Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has disclosed his efforts to boost the confidence of winger Mykhailo Mudryk, aiming to see him become the player who prompted Chelsea to swoop in and thwart his move to Arsenal last January.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third-round clash against the high-flying Brighton at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino revealed that he chose the crossbar challenge as a method to achieve this objective.
The former Tottenham Hotspur head coach humorously recounted his frequent victories over the Ukrainian winger in the challenge, to the point where Mudryk declined further challenges from his coach.
“He told me today, ‘No, I don’t want to play with you anymore because you always win at this game.’ So, I responded by saying, ‘Yes, because I had the belief, and the balance between belief and quality, which I understand very well at 50 years old,'” Mauricio Pochettino quipped.
Pochettino went on to reveal that after he excused himself from the crossbar challenge, the young winger emerged victorious for the first time, a breakthrough that could have a lasting impact on his confidence levels.
“You are still young, and you need to continue discovering yourself. Today marked the first time that Mudryk emerged victorious,” he acknowledged.
Chelsea snapped up Mykhailo Mudryk from Arsenal noses
Chelsea snapped up Mykhailo Mudryk from Arsenal noses with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Sporting Director Darijo Srna that the winger made an independent decision.
Mudryk became Chelsea’s fifth signing in the January transfer window, sealing a deal initially valued at £62 million, with the potential to reach nearly £90 million in add-ons.
ALSO READ: Chelsea FC targeting Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe
Arsenal had engaged in negotiations with Shakhtar but hesitated to meet the club’s asking price for Mudryk. Capitalizing on this opportunity, Chelsea swiftly executed the transfer.
Ultimately, the Blues presented Mudryk with an opportunity that Arsenal could not match, meeting the terms the 22-year-old had hoped for.
