Former Premier League striker Danny Murphy has stated that Tottenham's loan move for Mykhailo Mudryk from Chelsea is a calculated risk worth taking.
The Ukrainian winger is making a comeback to football following a 20-month absence but has only managed 16 minutes in the Premier League for his new club before an ankle injury sidelined him for around six weeks.
Murphy commented:
I don’t think it’s a huge risk, considering the number of attacking players at Tottenham. It’s a calculated gamble given the loan fee and his wage for the year.
If he can return to the level we've seen glimpses of, he could be a strong addition. If not, they can simply send him back.
The pundit also highlighted that Roberto De Zerbi played a crucial role in Mudryk's transfer, having previously managed the player:
This is a transfer that’s 100% on De Zerbi. I don’t think Tottenham would have taken such a risk without him. He knows Mudryk well, and sometimes having a manager who understands and supports you can make all the difference. This could really work out.
With a touch of irony, Murphy acknowledged that such a transfer fits Tottenham’s reputation:
If you were told on deadline day that Mudryk was leaving Chelsea and were asked where he might go, you’d probably say Tottenham. It’s very much in Tottenham’s style, isn’t it? But given the costs involved, I genuinely believe that taking this risk makes sense.
Tottenham turned to Mudryk after unsuccessful attempts to sign Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye.
