Enzo Maresca admitted Mykhailo Mudryk has been a slower learner than his Chelsea teammates but praised the winger’s performance in his side’s 4-1 win over Panathinaikos.
It was an efficient yet thorough display in Athens to maintain the visitors’ perfect start in the Conference League and the Ukrainian’s contribution was key, scoring the second goal with a brave header as well as setting up two goals for Joao Felix.
Maresca previously challenged Mudryk to seize upon his selection in the starting XI and prove the worth of his £88million transfer fee, and those words were heeded as the 23-year-old had his strongest game of the season in the Olympic Stadium.
A convincing victory in Athens! 🙌#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/N3davbXSOH
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2024
“We’re working with him and all the wingers,” said Maresca. “They need to arrive inside the box in the position where Misha scored. He’s struggled to arrive there, now he’s started to. That’s where we’re going to score goals.
“We want the best for Misha, since day one we’ve tried to help him. Probably he’s one of the guys that the learning process is more slow compared to the rest.
“But he’s improving. I’m sure that slowly, slowly we’re going to arrive where he will score more goals and to be more important for us.”
Given the size and passion of the home support in Athens this might have been expected to be the toughest of Chelsea’s league stage assignments in this competition.
Get in! ✊#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/tYtEH5Cwzv
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2024
But they took the sting out of Panathinaikos with a goal midway through the first half before blowing them away with three in 15 minutes after the interval.
Felix got the first, linking up well with Mudryk before receiving the ball back and rolling it in from six yards, then the Ukrainian turned scorer himself after showing ready determination to beat his defender to the ball and head in Pedro Neto’s cross.
A deflection carried the ball past goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski as Felix hit his second and Chelsea’s third, then for good measure the Portugal international won the penalty from which Christopher Nkunku clipped his eighth goal of the season.
Former Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri tapped in a consolation, but despite making 11 changes from the side that lost to Liverpool, Chelsea’s dominance was never challenged.
“The most important thing is no matter how many players we change, you can see the identity of the team,” said Maresca. “The identity is quite clear.
“What we want is exactly what they’re doing; taking the chance when we give it to them. Tonight once again they showed that.”
Asked whether a club of Chelsea’s size could ever prioritise this competition, Maresca said: “If we are a Champions League club, why are we in the Conference League? It’s because in this moment we belong to the Conference League. Football in the end always puts you where you deserve to be.”
Travelling fans, your support means everything. 💙👏#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/VVihqhv3Tc
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2024
Panathinaikos manager Diego Alonso reflected that his team has caused their own downfall.
“We played a good game for 22 minutes, then we made an error and it led to the first goal,” he said.
“In the second half we lost our concentration for 15 minutes and this was enough to let in three goals. This happens when you play against a top team of the Premier League. When you commit an error, you pay hard.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
