Tottenham fans will be hoping to see the best version of Mykhailo Mudryk at N17 under Roberto De Zerbi.
Tottenham fans were taken aback after the club confirmed the deadline-day signing of Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukraine international has joined the Lilywhites on an initial loan deal until the end of the season, with the club having a £75m buy-option that could be triggered next summer. He became the club’s tenth and final signing of the summer, taking the #27 shirt as he aims to make his mark at N17 in the coming months.
The North Londoners made an enquiry for the 25-year-old’s signature earlier this week as part of the major attacking revamp at Hotspur Way. Spurs’ deal to land Iliman Ndiaye from Everton was hijacked by Manchester City at the eleventh hour, forcing the club to look elsewhere to sign a new left-winger. And it seems like Mykhailo Mudryk fit the necessary criteria to play at N17 under Roberto de Zerbi.
Mudryk’s career came to a sudden standstill in December 2024 after he was banned for an anti-doping rule violation. He was charged with testing positive for Meldonium, a substance that could increase stamina and respiratory capacity. However, after being acquitted earlier last month following a 20-month suspension, the talented winger returned to preseason with Chelsea under Xabi Alonso. And having not featured in the opening two matches of the new Premier League season, the Blues decided to loan him out to help him gain match fitness and regain his confidence.
Tottenham provide a new opportunity for Mykhailo Mudryk
Tottenham had never really planned on signing Mykhailo Mudryk up until last week. However, missing out on Iliman Ndiaye forced the club to take a chance on the Ukraine international on deadline day. Roberto de Zerbi also played a key role in landing the 25-year-old, with the Spurs boss knowing the player well due to their time together at Shakhtar Donetsk. So, being at N17 might just be the best chance for Mudryk to reignite his stuttering career this season.
The Chelsea loanee was also attracting interest from Leeds United during the business end of the transfer window. But once Spurs’ interest emerged, Mudryk prioritised being part of De Zerbi’s project at N17 and reuniting with the Italian tactician. And it seems as though the Ukraine international could prove to be a useful impact substitute if he is utilised correctly by De Zerbi in the coming months.
Henry Winter has now shared his thoughts on Mykhailo Mudryk’s controversial move to Spurs during the business end of the transfer window. Taking to X, Winter said,
“Big opportunity for Mykhailo Mudryk at Spurs on loan from Chelsea. Roberto De Zerbi obviously knows Mudryk from their days at Shakhtar Donetsk. The coach was particularly helpful working on improving “Misha’s” game and also his attitude. He’s quite complicated, intelligent, religious. De Zerbi understands the 25-year-old. There’s a strong connection which now leads to the pair working together again. Spurs will hope the connection sees Mudryk restarting a career which has stalled.”
The journalist added,
“De Zerbi has always spoken highly of Mudryk. As Mudryk rebuilds his career, the Ukrainian international first has to regain sharpness after so long out following a suspension for a doping offence. He’s not played since November 2024. The next step is for Mudryk to prove his best position. It’s been a while. He is best on the left, cutting inside on to his favoured right foot. But he’s also spoken in the past of enjoying the No 10 role. Spurs have an obvious need for a left-sided attacker. Mudryk showed at Shakhtar his ability to spin his marker and speed upfield. He’s now 25. Time to get going again.”
Time for Mykhailo Mudryk to prove his worth
As Henry Winter rightly points out, signing for Spurs could prove to be beneficial for Mykhailo Mudryk, thanks to his strong working relationship with Roberto de Zerbi. The Italian tactician knows how to get the best out of the Ukraine international at a time when the player’s professional career has pretty much stalled. De Zerbi trusts the player, and the 25-year-old would also get to feature prominently in the Premier League as he aims to regain his match fitness in the coming months.
The onus now falls on Mykhailo Mudryk to bring his best game to N17 as he aims to get the fans on his side in the coming months. The 25-year-old thrives as a left-winger, adding more pace, flair, urgency, and ball-carrying ability in the final third. He likes to take on his marker by cutting inside and creating space for his teammates. The Ukraine international could thrive in quick transitions against tired legs, helping the North Londoners see out games with relative ease.