Mykhailo Mudryk Reacts to Tottenham Debut as Roberto De Zerbi Highlights Fitness Concerns

Mykhailo Mudryk Shares Joy After Tottenham Debut

Mykhailo Mudryk expressed great happiness after finally returning to competitive action with Tottenham Hotspur. He made his debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, marking his first game since November 2024 following a long suspension. The winger, who joined Spurs on loan from Chelsea on deadline day, appeared as a substitute in the 74th minute during a goalless draw at The City Ground.

Mudryk looked lively in his brief time on the field and took to Instagram to share his excitement: "No feeling better to be back on the pitch. First minutes in new colours. Thanks for support," he wrote.

Roberto De Zerbi Cautions on Fitness Levels

Despite Mudryk's promising cameo, manager Roberto De Zerbi was clear that the player is not yet ready to be a regular starter. The coach emphasized that Mudryk must work hard to regain full physical fitness to meet the demands of Tottenham’s playing style.

"He's not ready yet. He's working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work," De Zerbi said during his post-match press conference.

Fierce Competition for Attacking Roles

De Zerbi also addressed the competition for spots in Tottenham’s forward line, especially on the left wing where Mudryk plays. Mathys Tel is another contender for that position, but both players still have areas to improve.

"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?" De Zerbi remarked.

Looking Ahead for Tottenham and Mudryk

Mudryk will aim to build on his limited appearance and increase his match sharpness during training sessions. Tottenham faces a packed schedule soon, starting with a Premier League match at home against Everton on September 12. This will be followed by an EFL Cup Round of 16 trip to Liverpool three days later, then a home game versus Aston Villa on September 19.

The club’s medical team will need to carefully monitor Mudryk’s playing time to manage his recovery and fitness through this demanding period.

• Premier League Fixture: Tottenham vs Everton, September 12, 2026, 19:30
• EFL Cup Round of 16: Liverpool vs Tottenham, September 15, 2026
• Premier League Fixture: Tottenham vs Aston Villa, September 19, 2026