Chelsea’s new star signings under fire from critics! Tragic Mudryk, world champion Fernandez shine in average

Chelsea didn’t really hold back in the January transfer market and bought everything that was available. A trio of new players started their first league game on Friday night against Fulham, with Enzo Fernandez in the starting lineup right away. Noni Madueke also took the field during the game and David Datro Fofana made his first league start.

Coach Graham Potter’s charges only drew with Fulham in their first game after the transfer window closed, as no one was able to assert themselves during the London derby. Kai Havertz was the closest to doing so, but was prevented from celebrating his goal by the goal structure.

Chelsea were otherwise very active, keeping the ball on their hooves in 66.9% of the game time and sending 12 shots at Bernd Leno’s goal, while Fulham had 10. According to Whoscored, the Blues’ highest rated player was Fernandez, who can be said to have shone among the home team’s mediocre performers.

Overall, the defensive side was definitely the stronger side, but on both sides of the field. After a great run of wins, Fulham did not score a goal for the third league game in a row.

However, Danny Murphy, who has been at Fulham in the past, was not so impressed with Fernandez. “I’ ve seen a few of his games. He’s good, but he’s definitely not worth £100 million.”

As is traditionally the case, however, whoever shines at the World Cup is expensive afterwards. We could find many similar examples in the past, James Rodriguez for example.

Mudryk’s tragic match

But who clearly disappointed with his performance? The Ukrainian winger, for whom Chelsea paid Shakhtar 70 million euros. The stats, which you can see below, speak for themselves.

It is quite reminiscent of Saúl Ñíguez, but he was only on loan at the Blues, which is not the case with Mudryk. However, this is a huge change for the 22-year-old winger and he certainly needs time. But you can’t afford such a performance in such a packed squad.

Fofana could have been a hero

All Blues players could have been overshadowed by the 20-year-old Ivorian striker who arrived from Molde for €12 million. Towards the end of the game, he only had to outmuscle the last opposing midfielder and could have run to celebrate his first goal in a Blues jersey.

Source: Premier League, Twitter, Chelsea, Youtube