Mykhailo Mudryk missed the second half of last season and Chelsea are openly looking for a new winger, having already had two bids turned down for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens
Enzo Maresca is already planning for life after Mykhailo Mudryk. Chelsea winger Mudryk is facing a four year ban after being charged by the Football Association for a doping offence after failing a drugs test last November.
Mudryk – nicknamed Mischa – missed the second half of last season and Chelsea are openly looking for a new winger in the summer window. They have already had two bids turned down for Borussia Dortmund ’s Jamie Gittens. Chelsea boss Maresca said: “We had already one entire season already without Mischa. We are going to decide to go for a winger.
“In both cases, we have Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto as proper wingers, then we try to adapt with Tyrique George. It’s a position we need to improve.” Ukraine star Mudryk has promised to clear his name while he also showed up announced in Wroclaw for the Conference League final.
Maresca insisted that he would back his player until told differently as the drugs case now goes through process as the winger – who cost £89m in January 2023 – waits to hear his fate. Maresca said: “I spoke with Mischa in Poland when we played the Conference League Final. We haven’t spoken since. There is nothing I can add. I don’t have more information.
«Mischa is a Chelsea player. Until he is not, I will trust. It’s not just about Mischa. It’s in general with all the players.” But Maresca insisted that England winger Madueke was not for sale this summer despite links with him leaving Stamford Bridge and he was also dropped last season amid criticism over his poor levels in training.
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Chelsea also have Estevao Willian, 18, arriving at Stamford Bridge and is regarded as one of Brazil’s best prospects. He is at the Club World Cup but with Palmeiras and has already won five senior caps. Maresca added: “Noni is our player. In this moment, you can read many speculation [about players]. We consider Noni as our player for next season.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea star Andrey Santos is expecting a hot reception against Flamengo – and he is ready for one of football’s great rivalries. Santos, 21, was born in Rio de Janeiro, played for Vasco da Gama and likened their rivalry with Flamengo to Argentina and Brazil.
Brazil midfielder Santos said: “Of course, against Flamengo there’s always extra motivation, especially because I was playing for a rival team. “Flamengo and Vasco da Gama is like Argentina and Brazil. It’s a big derby so we have to improve in this game, but I’m so happy to play against Flamengo again. I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s hard because I played for Flamengo’s rival, so of course when I’m on the pitch they’re probably not going to say nice things about me! It’s probably going to happen but it’s football, it’s normal for me.
“I know there are many people from Brazil here and the support of their fans is amazing, but we have to be constant and to do our work.” Santos was signed by Chelsea in 2023, was loaned back and then had a frustrating loan spell at Nottingham Forest before going to Strasbourg last year.
That was a big learning year for the Brazil international and he hopes that experience can help elevate him into being a big player for Chelsea this season. He added: “In the past two years, things feel so different. In two years a lot of things have happened. Now I have my son, I’m married now, my whole life has changed and I have more experience.
“Last season for me was amazing because it wa say first season in Europe, first season competing in Europe and I scored 11 goals, four assists and we went to the Conference League and, for me, it was amazing.
“It’s good to be here with my teammates, of course I enjoy the time here. This time is important for me, I enjoy being with my friends and getting to know my teammates more.
“Expectations are the best here, that we can work well, end the week well so that we can arrive at the game well and leave with a positive result.”
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