Graham Potter drops huge Mykhailo Mudryk hint ahead of Liverpool clash

Chelsea manager Graham Potter has hinted new signing Mykhailo Mudryk could make his debut in this weekend’s clash with Liverpool.

Mudryk completed his big-money transfer to Stamford Bridge from Shakhtar Donetsk on Sunday, signing a whopping eight-and-a-half-year contract.

The 22-year-old has already been getting to know his new teammates in training and with a testing trip to Anfield coming this Saturday to face Liverpool, fans are naturally wondering whether or not Mudryk could make his debut.

Potter has called for realism when it comes to Mudryk’s immediate impact as the Ukraine international adjusts to a new league and country, but did reveal he’d been training well and is in contention for a place in Saturday’s squad.

“He hasn’t played so much football recently but has been training well. There’s a chance [he could make his debut],” Potter told reporters on Friday.

“We’ve got to help everybody understand that he is coming from a different league and has to adapt. He is a young player that has a lot of potential but has had good experiences already. He is an exciting player.

“He’s very happy to be here. He is looking forward to his career here and looking forward to get started.”

Chelsea will need Mudryk and fellow January arrivals like Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix to hit the ground running as they seek to overturn a 10-point gap between themselves and Newcastle United in the fourth and final Champions League place.

This weekend’s opponents, Liverpool, are level with the Blues on 28 points, but have played one game less.