
Roberto De Zerbi will be reunited with Mykhailo Mudryk once again when Brighton host Chelsea at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday evening.
De Zerbi coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk, and he’s glad to see his former player make progress at Stamford Bridge.
De Zerbi admitted there’s still more to come from Mykhailo Mudryk.
“I think he’s improving,” De Zerbi said of Mudryk.
“I think it was tough for him, changing country, changing the level of difficulty of the league. The competition inside of Chelsea’s squad is higher than Shakhtar.
“But he’s a smart guy, he loves football and I think the management of the club, of Pochettino, has been right because now he’s playing very well and he’s a big, big talent.”
Asked if he will speak with Mudryk after Brighton’s Premier League clash against Chelsea on Wednesday evening, De Zerbi replied: “Yes, for me, especially the young players, but not only the young players, I’m able to create a good relationship.
“Carlos Baleba, Julio Enciso, Facundo Buonanotte, the relationship is different because they need something more than older players.
“And for my former players nothing changes. During the game I would like to beat everyone but we can’t forget what we spent together in Ukraine, for sure.
“I am the first big fan of Mykhailo.”