“I’m not being funny”- Glen Johnson tells star on 2031 contract may never be Chelsea starter if he doesn’t act now

Glen Johnson tells Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk to secure a place for himself in the XI

Mykhailo Mudryk and his tenure at Chelsea have been a subject of scrutiny and debate since his high-profile transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023. The 23-year-old left-winger arrived at Stamford Bridge amidst much fanfare and with lofty expectations, given the significant investment Chelsea made to secure his services. However, over a year into his Chelsea career, Mudryk has struggled to cement his place in the starting XI, raising questions about his long-term future at the club.

Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has weighed in on Mudryk‘s situation, expressing concern about the winger’s inability to make a significant impact at Chelsea. In 51 appearances across all competitions for the Blues, Mudryk has managed just six goals and four assists, a return that falls short of the expectations associated with his hefty price tag and potential. Here is what Johnson had to say via Football London:

“You’re disappointed in the sense that he [Mudryk] offers so much but has done very little across the timeframe that he’s been at Chelsea. You would like to think that he’s had his little dips, picked himself up and kicked on, but that hasn’t happened.”

“The reason I say he’s still got a chance is because the team is struggling so much. At the minute, and I’m not being funny, but if you can’t get in the Chelsea team now, then you’ll never get into this Chelsea team.”.

Johnson’s warning to Mudryk is straightforward but ominous: if the Ukrainian international cannot make his mark in a struggling Chelsea side, his prospects for regular first-team football at Stamford Bridge could diminish further as time progresses.

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The winger’s intermittent dips in form and lack of consistency have been a cause for concern, preventing him from seizing the opportunities presented to him and staking a claim for a regular starting berth.

Johnson’s belief that Mudryk still has a chance to prove himself is rooted in Chelsea’s current struggles. With the team facing challenges on multiple fronts, including their fight for a top-half finish in the Premier League, opportunities to impress and secure a place in the starting XI are abundant.

However, Johnson’s caveat is clear: if Mudryk cannot break into the team now, when Chelsea’s form is less than stellar, it raises doubts about his ability to do so in the future when competition for places intensifies. The winger’s contract at Chelsea runs until 2031 (Transfermarkt), indicating that the club sees long-term potential in him. However, potential alone is not enough; Mudryk needs to translate his talent into consistent performances and demonstrate that he can be a reliable contributor to Chelsea’s success.

The hope is that Mudryk will heed Johnson’s advice, embrace the challenges ahead, and showcase the qualities that persuaded the club to invest heavily in his talent. With the right mindset, determination, and hard work, Mudryk has the opportunity to turn his Chelsea career around and prove his worth to the team and the fans. His potential is real, it is just about putting it to use.

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As Mudryk stands at a crossroads in his Chelsea career, the choices he makes in the coming months will shape his future at the club. Will he rise to the occasion and fulfil his potential, or will he continue to struggle to make an impact? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the ball is firmly in Mudryk’s court, and the decisions he makes will have far-reaching implications for his career and Chelsea’s fortunes moving forward.