Mykhailo Mudryk arrived on deadline day, on an initial loan from Chelsea, looking to revive his career following his four-year ban for testing positive for banned substance meldonium in 2024, something he denied knowingly ingesting.
The Ukraine international came off the bench, his first Premier League appearance since being a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in November 2024.
“He needs time and he needs work, we have in that position Mathys Tel – big potential – but also Tel takes too many wrong decisions,” added De Zerbi.
“Two big players with potential.”
It was part of a second-half shake-up with Savio and Destiny Udogie being withdrawn after an hour in a planned double substitution on medical advice.
De Zerbi added: “Before the game the plan for Savio and Udogie was around 60 minutes. I’m not happy but football is like this, Savio not in the best physical condition to play 90 mins, he’s a crucial player for us.
“Destiny is another crucial player. Kudus and Robertson played well but to start one game like today is not so easy to come inside from the bench and adapt immediately.
“I’m not happy when we have the plan but it’s not my business, the management of players after injuries.”
