'He did brilliantly': Cesar Azpilicueta says he was seriously impressed by 22-year-old Chelsea player at Anfield
Cesar Azpilicueta has claimed to the Evening Standard that he was very impressed by the performance of Mykhailo Mudryk for Chelsea against Liverpool.
The Blues left Anfield with a point after a 0-0 draw with their fellow strugglers, leaving both a little away from European football still.
It had been a decent albeit pedestrian performance from the visitors up until just before the hour mark, when Graham Potter introduced his newest signing.
Instantly, Mudryk changed the game, bringing a pace and directness Chelsea fans have been dying to see.
He created a number of opportunities out of thin air, both for himself and his teammates who just couldn’t take their chances.
Azpilicueta, who was making his 500th appearance for the club, claimed he was extremely impressed with the cameo he saw.
Azpilicueta impressed by Mudryk
He said: “I’ve seen a very focused lad with great determination, great ambition. It was his first game since November… he played 35 minutes at Anfield so it’s not the easiest debut and I think he did brilliantly.
“He has a great connection with the fans as well. He’s a player who can have that mix between playing good football with his feet and also running into space. You could see his speed.
“The price tag, I know from the outside it’s there but we players don’t make the prices, it’s a market and when you’re in the market, you have competition to get players so I don’t think it has to lie on his shoulders.
“He just has to express himself the way he has been doing. It’s great to see his energy and he will be a very important player.”
Mudryk will be the benefactor now of a week off for the Blues, as FA Cup action returns next weekend.
The club will be hoping they can get him up to speed in time for the next league game against Fulham.
