MYKHAILO MUDRYK has already been given an unwanted nickname by fans.
The £89million man has endured a disastrous start to life at Chelsea.
Mudryk, 22, was snapped up from Shakhhtar Donetsk in January after appearing to be on the verge of joining Arsenal.
The Ukraine international made an instant impact with a lively debut cameo against Liverpool.
But he’s since followed that up with five dud appearances, including one from the bench in Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham.
Mudryk is yet to score or assist for the Blues in his six games.
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And some fans are already dubbing him “007” — but it’s not a compliment.
It refers to a new big-money signing who is yet to bag either a goal or assist in his first seven matches.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo came close this season, finally scoring at the seventh time of asking, in the Merseyside derby with Everton.
And Mudryk can avoid it sticking if he makes an impact at Leeds this weekend.
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But he is not even guaranteed to start at Elland Road as Graham Potter continues to rotate his squad of misfits.
And some cheeky fans are already enjoying Mudryk’s new role on the Chelsea bench.
One said: “We’re getting closer to 007.”
Another joked: “They bench Mudryk so he doesn’t catch that ’007’ heat.”
One declared: “Mudryk on for us to get closer to 007.”
Another added: “One more game until Mudryk becomes 007, we will be there.”
Paul Merson certainly believes Mudryk has been a major disappointment for Chelsea.
He said: “They brought Mykhailo Mudryk for £89m and, bar a cameo of 20 minutes, he’s shown nothing. I mean nothing.
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“You wouldn’t expect to need time to settle in at that price.
“The forward-thinking players are no better than the ones they’ve already got so what’s the point?”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
