Darijo Srna backs Mykhailo Mudryk to become Tottenham star under Roberto De Zerbi

Mykhailo Mudryk has been backed to rediscover his best form at Tottenham Hotspur, with former Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director Darijo Srna believing Roberto De Zerbi could once again be the perfect manager for the Ukrainian winger.

Mudryk completed a deadline-day loan move from Chelsea to Tottenham after finding himself outside Xabi Alonso’s core plans at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old has only recently returned to competitive football following an 18-month doping ban, making his Tottenham debut in the goalless Premier League draw against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Srna remains convinced Mudryk possesses exceptional natural ability. However, he believes the winger must learn to manage his workload and find a better balance between training and preparing mentally for matches.

Mudryk and De Zerbi already have significant history from their time together at Shakhtar.

Srna has revealed that the Italian immediately identified the winger as a major talent when he arrived at the Ukrainian club in 2021.

“When you look at Mudryk, he has more qualities than everyone else put together,” Srna said.

According to the former Shakhtar director, De Zerbi was determined to bring Mudryk back from his loan spell at Desna Chernihiv.

Srna recalled De Zerbi asking about the youngster during one of their earliest conversations before telling him to contact Mudryk.

“Misha, if I become Shakhtar’s coach, you’ll be my star player,” De Zerbi reportedly told him.

The relationship subsequently helped Mudryk establish himself at Shakhtar, with the winger registering two goals and nine assists in 19 appearances under De Zerbi.

Their reunion at Tottenham therefore gives Mudryk a manager who already understands both his strengths and the areas of his game requiring improvement.

Mudryk eventually left Shakhtar for Chelsea in January 2023 in a deal reportedly worth €70m plus bonuses.

He never consistently demonstrated the form that had made him one of European football’s most exciting young attackers before his move.

Srna believes Chelsea’s instability contributed to those difficulties.

“They changed the coach, changed the system. In short, chaos,” he said.

Mudryk’s subsequent lengthy absence from competitive football only made his situation more difficult.

Tottenham now represent an opportunity to effectively restart his Premier League career, and reuniting with De Zerbi could provide the stability and familiarity he needs.

Interestingly, Srna believes one of Mudryk’s biggest problems is actually his determination to improve.

“Misha has one big problem: he trains too much,” Srna explained.

During their time at Shakhtar, Mudryk would reportedly remain on the training pitch for another two hours after sessions to practise his finishing. Srna says that habit continued at Chelsea.

While such dedication would normally be considered an advantage, Srna believes Mudryk must become smarter about managing his workload.

“He’s a great kid, but he needs to think about the game, too. It’s the right thing to do, but he needs to find a balance.”

That could be particularly important now.

After spending more than 18 months away from competitive football, Tottenham and De Zerbi will need to carefully rebuild Mudryk’s match sharpness rather than simply increasing his physical workload.

Mudryk’s first Tottenham appearance was only the beginning of what could be a lengthy process.

De Zerbi already knows how to utilise his pace, directness and ability in transition, while Mudryk knows exactly what his manager expects from him.

That familiarity could make this loan very different from simply joining another Premier League club and attempting another fresh start.

Srna certainly retains enormous faith in his former player.

“I’m sure he has a bright future ahead of him,” he said. “He’ll be a superstar.”

Whether Mudryk reaches those heights remains to be seen, but Tottenham may have provided him with one of the best possible environments in which to rebuild his career.

Mudryk will now look to gradually increase his involvement after making his Tottenham debut against Nottingham Forest.

After such a lengthy period without competitive football, patience will be essential. However, working under a manager who previously helped unlock his potential gives Mudryk an opportunity to rebuild his confidence and establish himself in De Zerbi’s Tottenham attack.