Rio Ferdinand has identified a major weakness in Mykhailo Mudryk’s game after his disappointing home debut for Chelsea against Fulham.
Mudryk was handed his first start against Fulham after his impressive debut against Liverpool but was taken off at half-time and replaced by fellow January recruit Noni Madueke.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter insisted a ‘heavy cold’ was responsible for the decision to take Mudryk out of the firing line, but Ferdinand fears he is the type of player who could struggle against packed defences.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: “It’s mad because I watched him in his first game against Liverpool and that 20 minute cameo was as good as I’ve seen.
“You have to have a bit of balance to it. Fulham are a hard team to play against at the moment, they set up defensively very well when they are out of possession.
“His game, from the clips I’ve seen, he’s at his best when there is space in behind to run. He played against a team yesterday that were in a bit of a low block.
“They condensed the pitch that made it more difficult for him so that’s something he’s going to have to work out in time.”