Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink criticised Mykhailo Mudryk after the winger failed to hit the target with a golden opportunity against Aston Villa.
The Blues fell behind early on at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening with Ollie Watkins capitalising on a mistake involving Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Chelsea had a huge chance to level the contest on the half hour mark with Mateo Kovacic sliding an excellent ball through for the £85million January signing.
Mudryk attempted to take on a first-time effort but fired straight into the open arms of Emiliano Martinez, who made a comfortable save.
Reviewing the incident, Hasselbaink felt the 22-year-old should have passed to teammate Kai Havertz, suggesting Mudryk is ‘not used’ to getting into one-on-one positions.
‘He needs to square it to Havertz,’ Hasselbaink told Sky Sports.
‘If he squares it, it is 100 per cent a goal. Chelsea have created here again, you can see he is not used to getting these kind of chances.
‘He needs to take an extra touch and then take his time because he had so much time.’
Mudryk’s evening did not last much longer with Graham Potter hauling him off before the hour mark, replacing him with Noni Madueke.
Chelsea caused their own problems with Cucurella’s failed attempt to head clear freeing Watkins for his goal, with Koulibaly seemingly better placed to deal with the through ball.
The Villa striker produced a calm finish to beat Kepa in the Chelsea goal but former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie criticised the former Brighton defender for his role in the opener.
‘First and foremost, you have to say, it is schoolboy defending from Cucurella,’ Hendrie said.
‘I don’t understand why he is running into that area. I’m not sure whether Koulibaly has given him a shout but it really is a golden gift for Ollie Watkins.’
Villa doubled their lead in the second-half with John McGinn curling home a superb effort from 25 yards out. Victory will see Unai Emery’s side leapfrog Chelsea in the table and move into ninth place.
MORE : Graham Potter confirms plan to trim Chelsea squad and discusses Mateo Kovacic’s future
MORE : Graham Potter open to potential Romelu Lukaku return to Chelsea
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
