Chelsea’s coach Graham Potter has explained why Ukrainian footballer Mykhailo Mudryk is yet to be featured in the Blues’ last two fixtures. 
The £89 million signing was an unused substitute during wins against Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund. Potter who has now laid out a new plan, has now pushed Raheem Sterling into filling up the wide position. 
Addressing a press conference ahead of a Premier League match against Leicester today, March 11, the Chelsea Coach stated that while Murdryk is yet to be used, he is still part of his plan. He said; “Sometimes you need training time and a breather. It’s not a straight road where everything happens in a linear way. Sometimes you need to take a step away. It’s not easy to arrive in what was a pre-season for him in a new country, new league and new club and just hit his maximum level. The fee doesn’t change that. We’re positive about his future and we just need to help him settle in.”
Shakhtar Donetsk has announced that they will be using £20.5 million from the sale of Mykhaylo Mudryk to Chelsea, to fund Ukrainian soldiers and their families who have been affected by the war with Russia. 22-year-old Mudryk signed an eight-and-a-half-year deal worth €100 million with Chelsea. The deal includes an initial fee of 70 million euros and 30 million euros in performance-related add-ons. In an official statement on the club’s website, Shakhtar Donetsk President Rinat Akhmetov said they will be using £20.5 million from the deal to help those who have been affected by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It read; “‘FC Shakhtar has signed a final agreement with Chelsea FC and thus Ukrainian footballer Mykhaylo Mudryk will continue his career with the Blues in the strongest national championship, the English Premier League. 
“First and foremost, I want to thank the entire civilised world for helping Ukraine. Today we are able to talk about Ukrainian football thanks to the Ukrainian army, the Ukrainian people, and the tremendous support of the entire civilised world. “Only by joining efforts we will defeat the evil that has come to our homes. “I have never made it a secret that my dream is to win European trophies. This means that players like Mudryk should be invited to our club, to our Ukrainian championship, and we should win European trophies with such players, rather than root for them, even when they play in the world’s top clubs. “Unfortunately, it is impossible now, as Ukraine is fighting the horrendous and unjust war waged against us by the Russian Federation. But I am confident that we will win. And we will play a friendly against Chelsea at Donbass Arena in a Ukrainian Donetsk. 
“That is why I have made a decision to launch the Heart of Azovstal, a project designed to help Mariupol defenders and the families of fallen soldiers. Their acts of bravery are unparalleled in the modern history. “I am allocating $25 million [£20.5m] today to help our soldiers, defenders, and their families. The money will be used to cover different needs — from providing medical and prosthetic treatment and psychological support to meeting specific requests. “To ensure transparency, the project will have a professional independent team that will be in touch with the Azovstal defenders, their families, care providers, and volunteers.” As well as the money from the sale, Shakhtar will also play a friendly against Chelsea at the Donbass Arena sometime in the future. The Ukrainian side haven’t been able to play at their actual home ground since 2014 because of the war in the Donbass area of the country which began before the full invasion by Russia last year. 
He looked poised to sign for London rivals Arsenal before a last-minute intervention from Chelsea’s recruitment head Paul Winstanley and co-owner Behdad Eghbali on Saturday, January 14, with the pair flying to Turkey to negotiate the deal. Chelsea offered Mudryk a better wage package and a longer contract than what Arsenal tabled. Insiders also said the €30m in bonuses involved in the Chelsea deal are easily achievable. “We are delighted to welcome Mykhailo to Chelsea,” Todd Boehly, Chelsea chairman said. Behdad Eghbali, the co-controlling owner, added “He’s a hugely exciting talent who we believe will be a terrific addition to our squad both now and in the years to come. He will add further depth to our attack and we know he’ll get a very warm welcome to London.” 
The 22-year-old was in attendance for Chelsea’s game against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge today, January 15, and he was presented to fans. Speaking to the club website, Mudryk said; “I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea. This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.” The Ukrainian footballer is now the fifth arrival at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.