Chelsea news – Raheem Sterling replaced Mykhailo Mudryk for the clash against Burnley after the latter suffered an injury earlier in the week
Mykhailo Mudryk saw his consecutive run of Premier League starts come to an end on Saturday, October 7 for Chelsea’s clash with Burnley. The Ukraine international was named from the off against Bournemouth and Aston Villa in recent weeks but he was unable to make a significant impact, however Pochettino kept faith.
At Craven Cottage this past Monday night, Mudryk scored his first goal for the Blues since his January transfer after latching into a Levi Colwill pass and finishing expertly. However, he was substituted by Pochettino at half time amid concerns over an injury.
“He was doing well.,” he told Sky Sports. “[It is] unlucky that at half time he felt something in his quad but we hope that it is not a big issue and he will be ready for Saturday.” Worries over a serious issue being prominent were lessened as Mudryk was not mentioned in the Chelsea injury report with Reece James and Carney Chukwuemeka also not included.
However, the game looked to come too soon with Pochettino naming Mudryk on the bench against Burnley with his decision to do so being revealed. “He is fully recovered now but we felt we shouldn’t take a risk with him, so he starts on the bench with the potential to come on and make an impact for us.”
In his place came Raheem Sterling after he was named on the bench at Fulham with several training sessions missed in the lead up to the game because of a virus. After a bright start to the season, Sterling has looked off-colour in recent weeks, but Pochettino’s decision to have him return to the starting XI and do so on the left looks to have paid off.
“Sterling has been the threat for Chelsea, he gets the ball and he runs at the defenders and as he crosses it it his Al Dakhil and it just loops over the keeper, he can’t do anything about,” Merson said when explaining the goal on Sky Sports. “It’s brilliant play by Sterling, he’s been by far Chelsea’s best player so far this afternoon.”
The Blues then headed into the break with the momentum with Pochettino looking to secure just his second win as Chelsea boss away from Stamford Bridge. And right after the break that was shown with further proof as Sterling won a penalty with some excellent footwork with Cole Palmer stepping up and converting from the spot to put Chelsea in front.
