‘London is Blue!’ Mykhailo Mudryk teases Arsenal rival Oleksandr Zinchenko
Mykhailo Mudryk maintains that London still belongs to Chelsea, even though this season they find themselves looking up enviously at their Premier League competitors Arsenal on the table.
In January, it seemed like the Ukraine footballer Mykhailo Mudryk was close to joining Mikel Arteta’s team, which is in the running for the title. However, the Gunners were unable to come to an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk regarding his transfer fee. As a result, Todd Boehly swooped in and secured the services of one of Europe’s most highly-rated forwards for a whopping £88.5 million.
So far, Mudryk has struggled to justify the high expectations placed on him.
Despite making seven appearances for his new club, he has only managed to provide a single assist, and Graham Potter has not made him a regular starter for his position, despite being the most expensive of the club’s January signings.
Despite playing for rival clubs in the same city, Mudryk is grateful for the help of Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has helped him to adapt to his new surroundings.
“He helped me a lot. I like him so much. We often joke about Arsenal, Chelsea and what colour London is,’ he told Sky Sports.
“But I like this guy, he is a very funny and very kind guy. We spend time always [together] in a positive way.”
Asked what colour London was, Mudryk replied emphatically: “Blue.”
Given that his homeland is still embroiled in a war that started 16 months ago, after Russia’s invasion, it’s not surprising that Mudryk has had a difficult time adjusting to his new environment and performing at his best.
“My parents are still there in Ukraine. Everyday I call them and ask about everything, what the situation is now, how they are and everything about what is now the situation in our country,’ he added.
“Their [British public] reaction, for me, is good because some people ask me about the situation in Ukraine. Some people are worrying about the situation. I am grateful to these people who help Ukraine because it means a lot.”
Mudryk and Zinchenko will play together on Sunday, as they represent Ukraine against England, who are looking to maintain their perfect start to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. England secured a 2-1 victory in Italy on Thursday, with Harry Kane scoring the decisive penalty and becoming England’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Mudryk has expressed his admiration for Kane, who is a legend at Tottenham.
He said: “Very good quality of player. I know a little bit of him, I like the way he worked a lot to become the top scorer of all-time of England.”
‘London is Blue!’ Mykhailo Mudryk teases Arsenal rival Oleksandr Zinchenko
