West Ham’s Michail Antonio doesn’t believe that Mykhailo Mudryk’s Chelsea goal at the weekend was intentional.
Chelsea recorded a 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Arsenal on Saturday.
Mykhailo Mudryk, who’s finally starting to find some form, scored his second ever Blues goal. However, there’s been a lot of debate about whether or not he actually meant it.
The 22-year-old winger fired the ball over from the left and it looped over Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya into the net. Afterwards, he enjoyed some fantastic celebrations in front of the home crowd at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fluke
Our instinct was that Mudryk’s goal was a mishit cross. We’ve heard a slightly different tale from the player himself, though.
Mudryk said via Chelsea’s official club website after the Arsenal draw: “It was something in the middle, between a cross and a shot. Before the game, our goalkeeper coach told me to look at their keeper because sometimes he is trying to read things and he can just lose the goal, so I can chip him.”
But West Ham striker Michail Antonio simply doesn’t believe what he’s just heard from the Chelsea star.
When discussing Mudryk’s goal on the BBC’s The Footballer’s Football podcast, Antonio said: “100% a cross. One million per cent a cross. We all know. I did it against Villa, where I mishit a cross and it went in the side netting. I wish it went top bins myself! But I think we all know it was definitely a cross but you know what I’m taking that all day!”
Mykhailo Mudryk deserves slice of luck
Whether he meant it or not, Mudryk can move forward with a real spring in his step.
The Ukrainian speedster has two goals in his previous three league games to boost his confidence. He’s playing fairly regularly now under Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino, too.
There’s a lot he brings to the Chelsea line-up with his hard work off the ball and his defensive recoveries. This is combined with raw pace and directness when he’s in possession.
Speaking via Football.london at the weekend, Pochettino explained that Mudryk is playing well but can still improve much further. We completely agree with that statement, too!
If he’s to lock down a permanent spot in the Blues starting XI, we suspect his numbers in the goal contribution department will need to shoot up.
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