Leeds United made the perfect start to their Premier League campaign on Saturday, but 24 hours earlier, the Whites saw a bid for Chelsea’s Mykhaylo Mudryk rejected.
Daniel Farke’s side secured an impressive 1-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest, with Anton Stach’s late free-kick earning them all three points at the City Ground.
Several of Leeds’ summer signings were immediately involved, with James Trafford, Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson all starting, while Nico Elvedi was on the bench.
|
Signing |
Forest involvement |
What they offer |
|---|---|---|
|
James Trafford |
Started |
Immediately established himself as Leeds’ No.1 and began with a clean sheet. |
|
Tarik Muharemovic |
Started |
Adds another powerful, left-sided option to Farke’s back three. |
|
Harry Wilson |
Started |
Provides Premier League experience, creativity and another goal threat in attacking areas. |
|
Nico Elvedi |
Substitute |
Experienced and versatile defensive cover capable of strengthening Farke’s back line |
Prior to the victory at the City Ground, Leeds made an attempt to sign Mudryk on loan from Chelsea. However, their opening proposal was rejected.
Leeds preparing new loan bid for Mudryk
The Ukrainian is expected to leave Stamford Bridge temporarily before the deadline, with Mudryk himself reportedly open to remaining in the Premier League.
According to Fabrizio Romano’s latest update on Monday, Leeds are now preparing a new loan proposal as they attempt to find terms acceptable to Chelsea, who shelled out over £88m on the winger back in 2023.
The Whites clearly haven’t been discouraged by having their first offer turned down, and if they can find a breakthrough, they would be acquiring a player who was once called a “compulsive finisher”.
Mudryk’s career in England hasn’t developed as expected after Chelsea beat Arsenal to his signature in January 2023.
The Blues agreed a package that could eventually reach £88.5m to prise him away from Shakhtar Donetsk, however, he’s registered just five goals and four assists from 53 Premier League appearances for the Blues, with his last competitive league appearance coming during the 2024/25 campaign.
A loan could therefore be precisely what he needs to properly restart his career, but the more interesting question for Leeds is where Farke would actually use him.
Mudryk has spent the majority of his senior career as a left-winger, whereas Leeds began the season once again using a 3-4-2-1 formation.
That could make him appear an awkward fit for a system without conventional wingers. However, Farke may feel Mudryk could potentially operate as the left-sided No.10 behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin, giving him the freedom to drift towards his preferred flank when Leeds have possession.
Rather than asking him to operate as a conventional central playmaker, Farke could give him more flexibility to play to his strengths and exploit his greatest weapon – his acceleration.
He is most dangerous when receiving possession facing the opposition goal, particularly when there is space behind the defensive line for him to attack, so playing as the left-sided attacker in a 3-4-2-1 could still create those situations.
