Graham Potter reportedly used the assurance of regular first team football to persuade Mykhailo Mudryk to sign for Chelsea instead of Arsenal.
According to the Evening Standard, Potter guaranteed the Ukrainian he would ‘go straight into’ the senior squad if he chose the South West of London rather than the North during a private phone call.
Whatever words the Blues boss uttered down the handset, it clearly worked.
Mudryk opted to join Chelsea, despite Arsenal’s clear intrigue, and the player at one stage seemingly wanting to head to the Emirates.
Todd Boehly’s staff managed to secure the deal extremely swiftly, with the 22-year-old’s transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk to Cobham officially confirmed yesterday.
His arrival was announced on social media during the Premier League tie between Potter’s side and Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He was in attendance at Stamford Bridge to witness his new teammates secure a crucial victory against the Eagles.
Will Mudryk make an instant impact at Chelsea?
The Ukrainian international is set to fully join forces with the Chelsea camp this week, where he will be put through his paces ahead of the Liverpool game on Saturday.
Like Potter did with fellow fresh face Joao Felix, Mudryk could be thrown straight into the XI at Anfield on the weekend.
Felix’s outing away to Fulham can be a good marker for the debut does and don’t.
Do act as the focal point for everything positive going forward; don’t get sent off after an hour.
Easy enough rules to follow, right?
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