I’m kinda gritting my teeth here writing this because holy crap I never ever in a million years thought I’d be writing an article about Mykhailo Mudryk joining Tottenham Hotspur, even on loan. But here we are. Not much to do but make the most of it, I guess.
Mudryk, who is coming off of two years away from football for a drugs ban (yes, it’s complicated) and who didn’t exactly rip up any trees in his first season at Chelsea, joins Spurs on a loan deal with a purchase option in the amount of £75m.
Now look, I know I wrote a very ranty article when this rumor first emerged, and I hold to those emotions. I’ve calmed down a bit now and can possibly see this move from an angle that suggests it could be a sneaky good signing for a player that was once highly rated and is now probably at the nadir of his hype. Maybe that would be the case! If it is, I’ll happily eat my words. In fact, if he does well enough that we’re actually considering spending £75m to make his loan permanent, well, that’s a pretty good problem to have, right?
I’ve heard Mudryk referred to as “Teemu Werner” which is both mean and also pretty funny. I suspect he’s better than that, and maybe he’ll surprise us! If anyone can get a tune out of an underrated player like him, it’s probably Roberto De Zerbi.
This is cope. I admit it. But hell, cope’s all I have right now until Tottenham Hotspur starts scoring goals and winning football games again, so I’ll cling to that cope like a dying man.
Welcome to Tottenham, Mykhailo Mudryk. I guess. Prove me wrong, buddy. That’d be nice.
EDIT: Roberto De Zerbi wrote that he’s excited about Mudryk (whom he calls “Misha”) and says that he has the ability to be important for Spurs this season.
“Having worked with Misha earlier in his career, I know exactly what he can bring to our team. He has the quality to change a game with his speed and ability in one-vs-one situations, and is an exciting, attacking talent.
“I will demand a lot from Misha and it is our job to help him find the best version of himself. If we do that then he can become a very important player for us. I am very happy he chose to come here, and I cannot wait to work with him again.”
