Defiant Mudryk Shows Fighting Spirit Despite Slow Start to Chelsea Career

• Chelsea bullied rivals Arsenal to the signature of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk
• The Blues matched their rival's offer of £89m but offered a better personal term to the player
• He is yet to hit the ground running in London despite coming in with high potential

Chelsea's cash splash in the January transfer window included bullying rivals Arsenal off their primary target Mykhailo Mudryk, whom they signed for £89m from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Arsenal was also willing to pay the same fee, but the Blues offered a better payment structure and much improved personal terms to the player, who eventually chose Stamford Bridge as his home.

He made his debut at Anfield against Liverpool, coming on for the final 30 mins of the game, showing glimpses of why the club went all the way to land his signature.

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Mudryk issues defiant statement

After his debut off the bench, he has started three games, one of which he was brought off at half-time against Fulham. Head coach Graham Potter confirmed to Metro UK it was due to a heavy cold.

He is yet to get on the scoresheet for his new club, and after the 1-0 UEFA Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, the 22-year-old took to his Instagram to send a message to the fans.

''I am here to show what a Ukrainian man is—a warrior. A warrior loves challenges; a warrior is born to overcome challenges. Nothing obsesses so much a man who put everything on the line, as a victory. A warrior can, on his way, lose battles, but in the end, the warrior wins,'' he wrote on his Instagram story.

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Mudryk's chance of opening his account comes soonest, as the Blues host Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, a match he is expected to start again.

Mudryk likes post criticising Cucurella

Sports Brief earlier reported that Mudryk liked a post criticising Marc Cucurella. The Chelsea left fullback and the winger are yet to form chemistry on the pitch.

The Spaniard had many opportunities to send a pass to the winger but instead sent a pass back to centreback Benoit Badiashile or midfielder Enzo Fernandez, much to the winger's frustration.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter addressed the issue at the press conference ahead of the match against Borussia Dortmund, dispelling any form of beef whatsoever.