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.”
Barcelona had missed out on signing Araujo on January transfer deadline day as they were 18 seconds late in registering the paperwork, but they said earlier this month they would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to get the player registered. Late on Friday, February 17, LA Galaxy head coach and sporting director Greg Vanney confirmed Araujo’s move to Barcelona, saying that it is a great story of a young kid who excelled with LA Galaxy. 
He said; “Julian joining FC Barcelona is a great story of a young kid from Southern California coming into the LA Galaxy Academy, through LA Galaxy II and excelling with the first team.” Araujo signed a 3-1/2-year contract which would run till the end of the 2025-26 season. The 21-year-old won’t be able to play for Barcelona’s first team this season and will start with the B-Team, which is currently coached by Rafa Marquez. The Mexican has told Relevo that he could be part of the first-team set-up next season. 📌 Acord amb LA Galaxy per al traspas de 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮́𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗷𝗼 ✍ El jugador s’incorpora al 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗰̧𝗮 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗲̀𝘁𝗶𝗰 i signa fins al 30 de juny del 2⃣0⃣2⃣6⃣ 🙌 Benvingut, @julian__araujo !#ForçaBarça 💙❤ https://t.co/cGoBe2rdW4 — Barça Atlètic (@FCBarcelonaB) February 17, 2023 A two-time MLS All-Star (2021-22), Araujo quickly established himself as one of the league’s most promising talents. He made his professional debut with LA Galaxy as a 17-year-old in 2019 and leaves the club with one goal and 20 assists in 100 regular-season games. Araujo played in 39 games last season with 35 starts. He had one goal with a career-high nine assists. 
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. 
