Arsenal transfer target Georgiy Sudakov of Shakhtar Donetsk has revealed the ‘useful’ advice Chelsea ace Mykhailo Mudryk has given him on a move to the Premier League.
Sudakov and Mudryk are close friends and remain in regular contact from their time together at Shakhtar Donetsk. But Chelsea broke the Ukraine teammates’ domestic bond this January as Mudryk moved to England. They beat Arsenal to sign the forward in an £88.5m operation.
Now, Arsenal and Chelsea are again at war for the transfer of a Shakhtar Donetsk player with Sudakov a target. TEAMtalk noted in October that the Gunners currently lead the Blues, plus Manchester City, in pursuit of the 21-year-old. He has also generated interest from Juventus.
Arsenal lead Chelsea’s pursuit of Sudakov’s transfer for January
Arsenal became aware of Sudakov’s potential while scouting Mudryk last year and have kept tabs on his progress. But Chelsea are also keen on the 11-cap playmaker after Mudryk stated his ability to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy. Sudakov has further impressed Manchester City.
Sudakov has additional suitors in two Portuguese sides plus Brighton & Hove Albion through his former manager, Roberto De Zerbi. The Bryanka native has caught the eye of many clubs having offered Shakhtar Donetsk 13 goals and 13 assists over 80 career senior appearances.
Arsenal, Chelsea et al are now considering Sudakov’s transfer for January after the Shakhtar Donetsk product penned three of his goals in 13 fixtures this term. His haul includes scoring once against Barcelona in the Champions League. He also helped to beat the Blaugrana 1-0.
Sudakov shares Mudryk’s ‘precious’ advice on moving to England
But Mudryk has told Sudakov to consider leaving Shakhtar Donetsk as soon as possible if a potential move to the Premier League surfaces. The attacking midfielder admits the Chelsea winger advocates making an early move to help him adapt to the demands of a new league.
“Misha is my close friend and we talk a lot,” Sudakov told The Telegraph. “I already received some precious advice from him, in case I move to England. How to adapt, how it’s not easy to get into the pace of the game. So, for me, it’s very useful advice.
“He recommends moving to a top championship like the Premier League as quickly as possible because to develop your game, it helps to adapt more quickly – physically and psychologically.
“Misha has got huge potential and perhaps one of the reasons why you didn’t see him at the top level in England yet is because he is saying there is not such a player like a Sudakov who constantly delivers with top passes and assists for him!”
Sudakov has played 48 times beside Mudryk throughout his career at club and international levels. The pair have also combined for nine goals since first playing together in September 2018 in Shakhtar Donetsk’s U19s. Seven of their matches together have been with Ukraine.
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