Mudryk came into our U.S tour off the back of a productive few weeks representing Ukraine. He scored against Germany in a showpiece international friendly before recording two sublime assists in a vital Euro 2024 qualifier away to North Macedonia.

Mudryk wasn’t done there. He showed his desire to build match fitness and minutes, as well as his love for his country, by dropping down to represent Ukraine Under-21s at the European Championships, where they reached the knockout stages.

• What dual-threat Jackson brings to Chelsea attack

• 'The aim is to win the Premier League'

• Pochettino's pre-Liverpool message

Under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, Mudryk has gone from strength to strength. That renewed confidence was on full display stateside as the winger showcased a litany of silky touches, electric bursts of speed, and fantastic one-touch football. It also brought his first Chelsea goal.

‘From the opening days of pre-season, I started to understand what the coach wants from us – and from me,’ Mudryk said last month.

‘That makes it easier to enjoy the game with my team-mates. When you feel confident and you feel the coach trusts you, you play another game without any doubts.’

Deployed on the left flank by Pochettino throughout, Mudryk generally hugged the touchline, keeping the pitch wide. On several occasions we saw the Chelsea left-back behind him moving infield, finding space because of the right-back and central midfielders’ preoccupation with Mudryk’s threat.

In the touch map above, from the friendly with Brighton, you can see Mudryk’s preferred location for receiving and running with the ball. However, as his instinctive and inspired interchange with Nicolas Jackson proved in the build-up to his first Chelsea goal, Mudryk can be a real handful coming infield off the flank, too.

Overloading central areas and getting into the box will be something Pochettino will want to see from Mudryk and his other wide players as we hunt more goals this season.

During his 90 minutes of action against Brighton and Newcastle, Mudryk played three key passes and completed seven take-ons, with his speed catching the eye. One passage of play against the Seagulls genuinely looked like it was on fast-forward!

Mudryk joined the Blues during the Ukrainian winter break, so it was understandable he took some time acclimatising to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.

We saw glimpses of his elite talent last season, not least on his debut against Liverpool - our opponents this weekend.

Now, with a full pre-season behind him and early signs Pochettino’s preferred shape will suit his style of play, Mudryk could be set for a breakout campaign in the world’s best league.