Chelsea have taken swift action to determine Mykhaylo Mudryk’s summer request as Enzo Maresca lays down new law
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Blocking Mudryk’s Olympic Participation
Chelsea has reportedly stopped Mykhaylo Mudryk from joining Ukraine’s team for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. New manager Enzo Maresca is eager to avoid the injury issues that plagued Mauricio Pochettino’s squad last season. By taking a strict stance on his players’ summer activities, Maresca hopes to keep his team fit and ready.
Enforcing New Dietary Rules
Maresca and his coaching staff have already begun implementing new rules, including removing common food items like salt, pepper, and fried eggs from the Chelsea players’ diets.
Preventing Players from Competing in the Olympics
With the Olympics starting next month, The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea has taken measures to prevent several key players from participating. Mudryk won’t be part of Ukraine’s squad, and Enzo Fernandez won’t be heading to Paris with Argentina. Additionally, Benoit Badiashile and Malo Gusto are likely to be kept from joining France’s team, though young talent Lesley Ugochukwu has been allowed to participate.
Mudryk and Fernandez’s Current Competitions
Mudryk and Fernandez are already busy this summer, competing in Euro 2024 and the Copa America, respectively. If Argentina reaches the final, Fernandez will miss more than two weeks of Maresca’s first pre-season. If he then went to the Olympics, he would miss all preparations for the 2024/25 season.
Pressure to Perform Next Season
Chelsea is under pressure to improve next season after struggling under several managers. Pochettino led the team to sixth place in the Premier League last season, but more is expected from the expensive squad. Mudryk, who cost Chelsea £88.5 million in January last year, scored only five goals and made two assists in the Premier League last season. Fernandez’s hefty price tag of £107 million, following his World Cup win with Argentina, has also been scrutinized.
Maresca’s Challenge Ahead
Maresca, who led Leicester City to the Championship title last season, has never managed in a top European league. He will need all players available as Chelsea prepares to compete in the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Europa Conference League, and Club World Cup next season. Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, and Christopher Nkunku are among those who missed significant parts of the last season due to injury.
A New Start for Chelsea
Many believed Pochettino should have had the opportunity to continue with a fully-fit squad, but he and the Chelsea board mutually agreed to part ways shortly after last month’s win over Bournemouth.
