Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed his delight after making his Tottenham debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The 25-year-old, who earned a deadline day loan move to Spurs from Chelsea, was brought on in the 74th minute during Spurs' goalless draw at The City Ground.
It marked Mudryk's first competitive outing since November 2024, having finished a suspension for alleged doping offences. Although his time on the pitch was limited, Mudryk caught the eye when introduced and produced signs that he could rediscover his best form in a Tottenham shirt. In the closing stages, he earned a free kick in a dangerous position after an impressive piece of skill, and looked threatening whenever he got the ball.
Mudryk's message to Tottenham fans
Now, more than 24 hours later, Mudryk has delivered a message to the Tottenham faithful following his debut for Roberto De Zerbi's side. In an Instagram story, the Ukraine international said: "No feeling better to be back on the pitch. First minutes in new colours. Thanks for support, furthermore."
Despite a positive first performance for Tottenham, De Zerbi admitted post-match that Mudryk is "not ready" to be starting fixtures just yet and must work diligently to achieve the "best physical condition".
De Zerbi's assessment
De Zerbi said on Mudryk: "He's not ready yet. He's working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work. In that position, we have Mathys Tel, big potential. But also Mathys takes too many wrong decisions, and Mudryk. So, two big players, two big potential players.
"But if we want to score, I think Marmoush has 15 goals. Solanke, the header for him, I consider a chance to score. It's not a shot on goal. But how many shots did Nottingham have today?"
With Mathys Tel deployed on the left flank, Savio began on the right wing against Forest and appeared lively but was substituted after 60 minutes alongside Destiny Udogie. De Zerbi revealed he would have preferred to keep them on the pitch, but was bound to a pre-agreed schedule with the medical team, which he admitted is for his "advantage".
Substitution plans explained
"I'm sorry because Savio and Destiny [Udogie] in that moment, I think they could play something more than 60 minutes," he said. "But there was a plan with the medical staff to not take risks. In this moment, I can't decide like the pitch says. Before the game, the plan was Savio and Udogie around 60 minutes, because it's dangerous, no?
"No, I'm not happy. But football is like this. Savio has not the best physical condition to play 90 minutes. He's an important player for us, a crucial player.
"Destiny is another crucial player for us. I think [Mohamed] Kudus and [Andy] Robertson, they played well. But, you know, to start one game like today, it's not so easy to come in from the bench and adapt immediately. I'm not happy when we have the plan, but it's for my advantage, for my business, the management of the players after injuries."
