HomeBrighton & Hove Albion FCRoberto De Zerbi ‘hopes’ Frank Lampard benches Mykhailo Mudryk for Chelsea’s clash...

Roberto De Zerbi ‘hopes’ Frank Lampard benches Mykhailo Mudryk for Chelsea’s clash with Brighton

Date:

Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton face Chelsea this weekend
Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton face Chelsea this weekend (Picture: Getty)

Roberto De Zerbi says he ‘hopes’ his former player Mykhailo Mudryk stays on the bench for Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Brighton.

Mudryk has made an underwhelming start to his Stamford Bridge career and is yet to score in 10 appearances since an £89m move from Shakhtar Donetsk in January.

But De Zerbi has no doubts that Mudryk will come good at Chelsea and says he has a ‘special relationship’ with the 22-year-old following the time they spent together at Shakhtar.

Mudryk may get another chance to impress Blues fans on Saturday when in-form Brighton visit Stamford Bridge, but Seagulls boss De Zerbi hopes he remains on the sidelines.

‘Me and my staff have a special relationship [with Mudryk],’ De Zerbi said at his pre-match press conference. ‘He is like a son to us.

‘I hope he stays on the bench and doesn’t play but I love him. We hope the best for him… from the next game.

‘I think for Chelsea it has been a difficult season but they are still a big, big, big team. One season can happen like this. For any young player it is more difficult to adapt to another country and another style of football.

Mykhailo Mudryk played under De Zerbi at his last club
Mykhailo Mudryk played under De Zerbi at his last club (Picture: Getty)

‘Chelsea have many big players and I think it is a normal situation for him, he has to adapt and to understand his life has changed but I think he is good, smart guy. He can become a top, top player.’

In a separate interview with talkSPORT, De Zerbi said: ‘Mudryk is a top player and I think for him, it’s difficult to start in another country, in another team.

‘Everyone knows the situation of Chelsea this year, it’s very difficult especially for a young player, for a young guy. But he has the quality to become a star in the Premier League.’

Chelsea sit 11th in the Premier League – 17 points outside the Champions League places and 34 behind leaders Arsenal – ahead of Saturday’s clash in west London.

Brighton, meanwhile, are seventh and chasing European football with 10 league games yet to play.

Revealing his prediction for the fixture, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport: ‘I was in Madrid in midweek to cover Chelsea, who have not scored a goal in any of their past four games. Their drought has now lasted more than six hours in total.

‘The way Brighton play might suit Chelsea in some respects – the Blues had a couple of early chances against Real on the counter-attack – but I don’t really know what system Frank Lampard will try this time.

‘Lampard used a back four in last weekend’s defeat by Wolves in his first game back in charge, but went with a back three in the Champions League. Whichever way he has played, it hasn’t worked because they haven’t found the net.

Frank Lampard and Chelsea need a result against Brighton
Frank Lampard and Chelsea need a result against Brighton (Picture: Getty)

‘Everyone viewed Lampard’s appointment as short-term, just until the end of the season, but I am sure he harboured hopes of doing enough to get it permanently – and this been the worst possible start for him.

‘He needs a couple of of big results, and quickly, if he is going to turn things around but this is going to be a difficult game for Chelsea to get anything from.

‘Brighton will quite rightly be smarting from the manner of their defeat by Tottenham last week and the wrong decisions that went against them.

‘The Seagulls have one way of playing, and they are a brilliant team to watch. They deserved so much more against Spurs, but I have a feeling they will get their rewards this week and win 2-1.’

MORE : Frank Lampard confirms Chelsea injury blow and hints at changes for Brighton clash

MORE : Frank Lampard names ‘standout’ player at Chelsea since his return

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
FacebookTwitter and Instagram
.

Source

Related articles:

Arne Slot Sets High Standards for Liverpool Despite Champions League Victory

Discover Arne Slot's expectations for Liverpool in this insightful article. Despite their perfect record in the Champions League, Slot's dissatisfaction with the team's recent performance has sparked a conversation about the standards he demands. Learn about Slot's commitment to high standards, his emphasis on honest assessments, and the importance of a culture of improvement. Find out how Slot's leadership style and focus on performance position Liverpool for sustained success. Don't miss out on this intriguing perspective on Liverpool's journey under Arne Slot.

Ian Wright Commends Chelsea for Smart Transfer Deal with Manchester United

Discover why Chelsea's recent transfer deal with Manchester United is being hailed as a bargain by Ian Wright. This article explores the details of the transfer, its implications for both clubs, and the larger context of player transfers in the Premier League. Learn why Sancho's move to Chelsea is seen as a strategic move to bolster their attacking options and how it aligns with the club's long-term strategy. Gain insights into the changing dynamics of the Premier League transfer market and what fans can expect from Sancho's performance at Chelsea. Don't miss out on this in-depth analysis of a potentially game-changing transfer.

FIFA’s Technical Glitch Overshadows Saudi Arabia’s World Cup 2034 Victory

Discover what happened during Saudi Arabia's World Cup announcement in this article. Technical difficulties marred the event, causing disruptions and confusion during the FIFA virtual Congress. Despite this, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host for the 2034 World Cup, aligning with their efforts to enhance their global image. Hosting the World Cup presents economic benefits but also raises concerns about human rights. The success of the event will depend on Saudi Arabia's ability to deliver on promises of inclusivity and safety. Fans and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the Kingdom addresses these challenges.

Phil Jones Praises Virgil van Dijk as an All-Time Great, Compares Him to Rio Ferdinand

Assessing Virgil van Dijk's Impact Compared to Rio Ferdinand: A Debate on the Nature of Defensive Play and World-Class Centre-Backs. Phil Jones sparked a discussion on the qualities of Van Dijk and Ferdinand, highlighting Van Dijk's modern-day relevance and his ability to excel in a different era. Both players have impressive resumes, but personal preference and the era in which they played may ultimately determine who is the superior defender. As Van Dijk's future at Liverpool remains uncertain, his recent performances continue to validate his status as a contemporary great. This debate serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of football and the timeless qualities that define greatness in the sport.

Liverpool’s Pursuit of Joao Pedro Heats Up Amid Nunez’s Response to Critics

Discover Liverpool FC's pursuit of Brazilian striker João Pedro as a strategic move for the future. With initial talks already underway, Liverpool aims to strengthen their attacking options by adding the versatile and promising talent of Pedro. Find out why Liverpool is keen on acquiring him, the uncertainties surrounding current forwards, and how Pedro's skills and potential can elevate Liverpool's attack. Additionally, explore the broader context of Liverpool's transfer strategy and the importance of mental resilience in the face of criticism. This article delves into the potential transformation that Pedro's acquisition could bring to Liverpool FC and the club's long-term vision for sustained success.

Latest News:

Arne Slot Sets High Standards for Liverpool Despite Champions League Victory

Discover Arne Slot's expectations for Liverpool in this insightful article. Despite their perfect record in the Champions League, Slot's dissatisfaction with the team's recent performance has sparked a conversation about the standards he demands. Learn about Slot's commitment to high standards, his emphasis on honest assessments, and the importance of a culture of improvement. Find out how Slot's leadership style and focus on performance position Liverpool for sustained success. Don't miss out on this intriguing perspective on Liverpool's journey under Arne Slot.

Ian Wright Commends Chelsea for Smart Transfer Deal with Manchester United

Discover why Chelsea's recent transfer deal with Manchester United is being hailed as a bargain by Ian Wright. This article explores the details of the transfer, its implications for both clubs, and the larger context of player transfers in the Premier League. Learn why Sancho's move to Chelsea is seen as a strategic move to bolster their attacking options and how it aligns with the club's long-term strategy. Gain insights into the changing dynamics of the Premier League transfer market and what fans can expect from Sancho's performance at Chelsea. Don't miss out on this in-depth analysis of a potentially game-changing transfer.

FIFA’s Technical Glitch Overshadows Saudi Arabia’s World Cup 2034 Victory

Discover what happened during Saudi Arabia's World Cup announcement in this article. Technical difficulties marred the event, causing disruptions and confusion during the FIFA virtual Congress. Despite this, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host for the 2034 World Cup, aligning with their efforts to enhance their global image. Hosting the World Cup presents economic benefits but also raises concerns about human rights. The success of the event will depend on Saudi Arabia's ability to deliver on promises of inclusivity and safety. Fans and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the Kingdom addresses these challenges.

Explora los Mejores Juegos Multijugador y Cooperativos para Disfrutar con Amigos en 2023

Descubre cómo Mojang está cambiando el juego multijugador en dispositivos móviles y cómo Fortnite se ha convertido en un fenómeno cultural. Aprende sobre las estrategias de juego en State of Decay y las ventajas de los juegos gratuitos. Además, explora el mundo de los juegos de estrategia, los juegos de rol y la evolución de los juegos en dispositivos móviles. Descubre la importancia de la comunidad en el juego y los riesgos de descargar juegos gratuitos. Por último, sumérgete en el futuro de los videojuegos y las emocionantes oportunidades que nos esperan.

Phil Jones Praises Virgil van Dijk as an All-Time Great, Compares Him to Rio Ferdinand

Assessing Virgil van Dijk's Impact Compared to Rio Ferdinand: A Debate on the Nature of Defensive Play and World-Class Centre-Backs. Phil Jones sparked a discussion on the qualities of Van Dijk and Ferdinand, highlighting Van Dijk's modern-day relevance and his ability to excel in a different era. Both players have impressive resumes, but personal preference and the era in which they played may ultimately determine who is the superior defender. As Van Dijk's future at Liverpool remains uncertain, his recent performances continue to validate his status as a contemporary great. This debate serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of football and the timeless qualities that define greatness in the sport.