More than two years after the Russian invasion drastically changed their lives, Ukrainian soccer players are just one match away from qualifying for the European Championship.
Mykhailo Mudryk, often seen on the bench for Chelsea lately, could play a crucial role in Ukraine’s attempt to defeat Iceland in the qualifying playoff final on Tuesday.
Despite being technically a home game for Ukraine, the match is being held in Wroclaw, Poland, due to the ongoing war. Many Ukrainian players face challenges playing in the Ukrainian league, where games happen without spectators and are sometimes halted by air-raid sirens.
Mudryk, who made his national team debut in 2022, has never played for Ukraine on home turf. He’s part of a group of Ukrainian players who have shown significant improvement over the past two years, including Artem Dovbyk, whose goals have been instrumental in Girona’s surprising success in Spain.
Mudryk joined Chelsea about 14 months ago for a hefty fee, but his performance has been underwhelming so far. Although he has occasionally showcased his talent, he hasn’t had many opportunities to start matches, with manager Mauricio Pochettino often preferring to use him as a substitute.
Despite the challenges, Pochettino has expressed confidence in Mudryk’s abilities and believes in his potential to excel on the field.
