CHELSEA fans have praised £88million transfer-flop Mykhailo Mudryk for his decision to play for Ukraine’s Under-21 side this summer.
The Blues won the race to sign the highly-rated youngster in January despite long-term interest in him from rivals’ Arsenal.
Mudryk largely found himself as a substitute last season
His time in West London has not gone to plan however, with the winger not registering a goal in his 15 Premier League appearances and contributing just two assists.
The Telegraph report that Mudryk will make himself available for his country’s U21s European Championship side this summer in a bid to rediscover his form – which has impressed incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Mudryk is currently with the Ukraine senior squad as they prepare for their own European Championship qualifiers against North Macedonia on Friday night and against Malta next week.
He started for Ukraine in their friendly against Germany yesterday which ended in a 3-3 draw.
Despite turning 22 in January, the winger is eligible to play for Ukraine in the U21 championship – which starts next Wednesday and is being held in Georgia and Romania – as he was 21 when the season started.
Chelsea will not stand in the winger’s way if he wants to play in the tournament given the limited minutes he has featured in since joining the club.
He completed just one 90 minute game in the league this season.
It is understood that Mudryk would like to maximise the minutes he plays this summer in a bid to find rhythm ahead of the upcoming 2023-24 season.
And Chelsea fans have reacted positively to the news that Mudryk will play for his U21s.
One fan said: “Mentality not to give up”
Another said: “Keep fighting young man, eventually it will pay off!”
While a third added: “Good lad. He needs to rebuild that confidence for sure”
Ukraine’s U21s find themselves in Group B for the tournament in Georgia and Romania – the group includes Spain and Croatia as well as co-hosts Romania.
If the winger is called up to the U21s he will no doubt be one of the star attractions at the tournament.
England are in Group C and will play rivals’ Germany as well as the Czech Republic and Israel.
A number of Premier League stars are part of England’s provisional squad, including: Arsenal‘s Emile Smith Rowe, Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke, Levi Colwill and Lewis Hall as well as Tottenham’s Oliver Skipp.
England’s final squad will be announced tomorrow.
