Roberto De Zerbi’s past comments on Mykhailo Mudryk when he was Brighton manager explain why Tottenham wanted the Ukrainian.
While Tottenham Hotspur have found success for most of this summer transfer window, landing their number one targets, deadline day has brought the Lilywhites back to earth.
Spurs saw their move for Cody Gakpo break down in the final weeks of the summer after Manchester City entered the race for the Dutchman.
Tottenham then turned their attention to Iliman Ndiaye as an alternative to Gakpo, but that deal was hijacked by Manchester City, who repeated Arsenal’s last‑minute swoop for Eberechi Eze from last summer.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Mykhailo Mudryk Ballon d’Or claim shows why Tottenham wanted him
Spurs then turned their attention to Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk, with Leeds United, Coventry City and Strasbourg all interested in signing him.
Leeds even saw a recent loan bid rejected by Chelsea, before Spurs got the ‘here we go’ seal of approval to reunite the Ukrainian with Roberto De Zerbi.
The pair worked together in 2021‑22 when De Zerbi was in charge of Shakhtar Donetsk, and the manager’s past comments show exactly why Tottenham are keen on signing the wide forward this summer.
Speaking about Mudryk, De Zerbi said when he was manager of Brighton: “Mudryk is a fantastic player, I think he can win the Ballon d’Or in the future. I like him as my ex‑player, but I am now Brighton coach; Brighton cannot buy Mudryk.”
What made Chelsea pay £89m for Mykhailo Mudryk in the first place?
The Chelsea forward only just returned from his anti‑doping violation ban but is yet to kick a ball since 2024, although he has begun training with the Chelsea squad.
Back in 2021‑22, Mudryk managed eleven goal involvements in nineteen games in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing nine assists. At the start of the following season, he scored 10 in 18 before Chelsea snapped him up for a whopping £89m.
Unfortunately for Mudryk and the Blues, the winger only ever netted 10 goals in 73 games following his big-money move.