An update in recent seasons to UEFA’s rules on being cup-tied in the Champions League means that Mykhailo Mudryk will be able to feature for Chelsea in the competition this season.
The European crown, which the Blues have won twice in the past, is the club’s last chance of silverware this season, following exits in both domestic cup competitions at the hands of Manchester City.
A revival of form under Graham Potter saw them finish top of the group with AC Milan and RB Salzburg, after losing their opener against Dinamo Zagreb under Thomas Tuchel.
They have not been blessed with an easy tie however. They will face Jude Bellingham and Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16 next month.
Chelsea will though have the boost of having new signings Mudryk and Joao Felix available, despite the pair already featuring in the competition for Shakhtar Donetsk and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Mudryk available for Champions League
The competition has been the launching pad for the Ukrainian this season. He scored three goals in six games of an extremely tough group which included Real Madrid and RB Leipzig.
The Blues will be hopeful that Mudryk is up the speed in time for the huge clash, as they look to find their most creative and threatening attack.
It has been a tough season in front of goal for the attackers at Chelsea this season, notably summer acquisitions Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Felix has already shown signs that he will be an exciting player at Stamford Bridge for the remainder of this season, as he impressed on his debut before being sent off against Fulham.
While Mudryk’s ceiling as a Blue is not yet known, his promise and price tag suggest that he could be about to play a key role in the club’s final chance of silverware in 2023.
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