Report: Could Liverpool Land this Chelsea Flop to Replace Salah? | OneFootball

Liverpool Linked with Surprising Move for Chelsea’s Mudryk: A Sensible January Deal?

Liverpool have long been known for their astute transfer dealings, but a new rumour suggests a potential departure from this tradition. Reports out of Spain, originating from Fichajes, claim that Liverpool are considering a cut-price January deal for Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk. This comes as the Reds brace for the potential departure of star player Mohamed Salah, whose contract is set to expire next summer. But is Mudryk the right answer to fill such enormous shoes?

Mudryk’s Struggles at Chelsea: Cause for Concern?

When Chelsea signed Mykhaylo Mudryk in January 2023, they had beaten off serious competition from Arsenal to secure the Ukraine international’s services. With a fee that could rise to £89m, it was clear the Blues were expecting big things from the winger. However, 19 months later, Mudryk has struggled to meet expectations, delivering just seven goals and six assists in 64 appearances.

Photo IMAGO

For a player with a price tag approaching nine figures, those numbers simply don’t justify the investment. In stark contrast, Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s newer signings, is close to equalling Mudryk’s goal contribution tally in just eight games. This has left Mudryk on the fringes at Stamford Bridge, with boss Enzo Maresca opting to prioritise other options like Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho.

But while his time at Chelsea has been underwhelming, Fichajes suggests Liverpool may look to revive Mudryk’s career with a January bid worth just £29.3m. This would represent a significant loss for Chelsea, but could Liverpool coax the player back to his promising best?

Liverpool’s Plan B to Salah: A Risk Worth Taking?

Fichajes has described Mudryk as Liverpool’s ‘Plan B’ to replace Salah, a prospect that would raise eyebrows among the fanbase. Salah has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent and devastating players in recent years, and any successor would have to shoulder immense pressure.

Photo: IMAGO

A fee of £29.3m could be seen as a bargain for a player once rated so highly. If Jürgen Klopp – who has recently left the club and been succeeded by Arne Slot – or his successor can tap into Mudryk’s full potential, Liverpool may find themselves with a talented and versatile winger. After all, Mudryk is still only 23, with plenty of time to develop.

However, the Merseyside club’s reported interest in names like Leroy Sane, and Nico Williams suggests Mudryk might not even be their top choice. Whether or not Liverpool would genuinely consider the Ukraine international for such a key role is up for debate. As TEAMtalk recently confirmed, “Mudryk is not a player they would consider signing were they to need a top-tier successor to their talismanic Egyptian frontman.”

Chelsea’s Willingness to Sell

For Chelsea, the idea of cutting their losses and letting Mudryk leave appears to be a reality. The London club is open to offers, whether that be a permanent transfer or a loan deal. This is particularly telling given that Mudryk has only seen 80 minutes of Premier League action this season.

However, manager Enzo Maresca has suggested Mudryk’s chance may come soon, stating: “At this moment he is not playing, it doesn’t mean he’s not going to play in the future.” Maresca also highlighted the extra training sessions being undertaken by Mudryk, adding, “Training sessions are the only way to improve players… Misha is one of them.”

Picture:IMAGO

It remains to be seen whether this vote of confidence from Maresca will translate into game time and performances that match the expectations that accompanied Mudryk’s signing.

Is Mudryk the Right Fit for Liverpool?

Liverpool have a history of taking underperforming players from other Premier League sides and turning them into stars. Think of Sadio Mané and Gini Wijnaldum – both players came with doubts, but thrived under the coaching at Anfield.

Could Mudryk follow a similar path? There’s no doubt that the player has raw talent. His lightning speed and technical ability are undeniable, but his end product has been lacking. The question is whether Liverpool’s coaching team believe they can unlock his potential, or whether they see other, safer options to replace Salah.

With Leroy Sane, and others rumoured to be in the frame, Mudryk seems an unlikely candidate. But stranger things have happened in football, and perhaps a fresh start at Anfield is exactly what the Ukraine star needs.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

As sceptical Liverpool fans, it’s hard to view this rumour with much optimism. Sure, Mudryk was once a hot prospect, but his performances at Chelsea have left much to be desired. His stats – seven goals and six assists in 64 games – are frankly disappointing. If he couldn’t succeed in a Chelsea side desperate for attacking flair, why would he suddenly thrive at Liverpool?

Salah is irreplaceable in the eyes of most Reds supporters. The idea of a ‘Plan B’ to Salah is already a tough sell, but to suggest that a player who’s failed to impress at Chelsea could be the answer feels misguided. We’ve seen Arne Slot perform miracles at Feyenoord, but this would be an almighty gamble for Liverpool – and one the club doesn’t need to take, especially with better alternatives reportedly available.

Liverpool fans would rather see the club go for someone similar to Federico Chiesa, who has proven his talent at the highest level, or even a wildcard like Nico Williams. The risk with Mudryk is that we’d just end up with a costly, high-profile flop that adds nothing to the side. This is a move that would benefit neither player nor club.