Chelsea skipper hails ‘brilliant’ Mudryk debut against Liverpool

Cesar Azpilicueta hailed Mykhailo Mudryk’s Chelsea debut after his 35-minute cameo in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

The Ukrainian winger, who joined the Blues in a deal worth a reported £88.5million, replaced Lewis Hall in the 55th minute at Anfield.

Mudryk, 22, joined the west Londoners on an eight-and-a-half deal after Graham Potter’s side struck a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Blues are 10th in the Premier League after picking up a point against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Spanish defender Azpilicueta has recorded 500 appearances at Stamford Bridge since joining from Marseille in 2012.

“I’ve seen a very focused lad with great determination, great ambition,” Azpilicueta said of Mudryk.

“It was his first game since November, so, for him, it was like pre-season.

“He played 35 minutes at Anfield, so it’s not the easiest debut – he did brilliantly.

“He’s very confident. The price tag, I know from the outside it’s there, but we players don’t make the prices – it’s a market.

“When you are in the market, you have competition to get players, so I don’t think it has to lie on his shoulders.

“He just has to express himself the way he has been doing. It’s great to see his energy, and he will be a very important player.”