Chelsea flop Mykhaylo Mudryk is set to be given more time to prove his worth at Stamford Bridge despite rumours of a hasty exit this summer. Several stars are reportedly ahead of the Ukrainian on the for-sale list as co-owner Todd Boehly looks to solidify the club’s financial position.
Cashing in on Mudryk would see Chelsea bank a healthy transfer fee, even though 13 months of disappointing form has seen his market value sharply decline. Some fans have called on the Blues to cut their losses, with only four goals to show for the £88.5million it took to lure him away from Shakhtar Donetsk last year.
But Boehly has two names on the permanent sale list who, if sold, would allow Chelsea to give Mudryk more time to bed in. According to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, Romelu Lukaku and Ian Maatsen are likely to be moved on this summer.
Lukaku has not played a competitive game for Chelsea since 2021/22, spending the past two campaigns on loan in Serie A. The Belgian has been amongst the goals at Roma this term, but the Giallorossi don’t have a buy option when the agreement expires in June.
The 30-year-old’s impressive goal-scoring form should see Chelsea raise a chunk of cash if they can find a permanent buyer. Even so, the Blues are certain to be dealt a painful loss on the £97.5m they shelled out in 2021.
Maatsen, meanwhile, has already notched two assists since joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January. Like Lukaku, the youngster’s move away does not include a buy option but he should have no shortage of suitors if Chelsea maintain that they are willing to sell.
It has been an underwhelming second campaign for the former Shakhtar star, with three goals and two assists to his name as Chelsea lag significantly behind those chasing European qualification.
Mudryk’s last start came almost a month ago, in the 6-1 demolition of Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup. The 23-year-old’s lowly position in Mauricio Pochettino’s pecking order means he has not started a single Premier League game in 2024.
