Chelsea: Pochettino makes Mudryk admission after Bournemouth draw

The Ukrainian star has found a tough start to the new season under Pochettino.

Mykhailo Mudryk lacks the needed “connection” with his Chelsea teammates, according to Mauricio Pochettino.

Mudryk has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge since completing an £88.5m move from Shakhtar Donetsk last winter.

There were hopes that the Ukraine international could rediscover his spark under Pochettino this season. However, he hasn’t been able to help Chelsea with their persisting goalscoing issues.

The Blues were held to goalless draw against Bournemouth on Sunday, with Mudryk failing to register his first goal of the season for the club.

“He is improving. He still needs to learn, he needs time,” Pochettino said post-match.

“Mudryk needs to understand the game better — and try to be more connected sometimes with the team. We need to give the time and tools for him to improve.”

Pochettino has played Mudryk in a number of positions since his appointment as the new Chelsea manager in the summer. Against Bournemouth, he decided to put the former Shakhtar Donetsk star on the left-hand side of the Blues’ attacking setup.

Speaking before the game, the Argentine said: “We’re going to play Mudryk in position Chilwell has been playing, we wanted to play with a more offensive player and keeping the same line up in the back four.”

Chelsea will take on Aston Villa in their next Premier League game.