By Gabriel Agbonlahor

28th Sep, 2023 | 6:49am

Agbonlahor can't believe Chelsea could now freeze out Mykhailo Mudryk

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Chelsea should not axe Mykhailo Mudryk from the side – but instead play him together with summer signing Cole Palmer.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the Ukraine international is not the “finished article” – but insisted he needs a run of games to build confidence.

Mudryk has started each of the last two Premier League games but is yet to score in the 2023-24 campaign.

Meanwhile, reported £42.5million signing Palmer is yet to start for the Blues in the top flight after joining in the summer from Man City.

Mauricio Pochettino is yet to find his best side since arriving in the hot seat in the summer.

Chelsea have won just one of a possible six Premier League games this term and sit 14th in the table.

Despite that poor start, Football Insider revealed on Monday (25 September) that Pochettino is not yet under any real sack pressure at Stamford Bridge.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think it would be nice to see Mudryk and Palmer play together.

“Palmer cutting in and finding Mudyrk could be a nice combination.

“I think Mudryk has looked okay recently. But he just makes the wrong decision, the wrong pass, the wrong weight of cross, the wrong time to shoot.

“He doesn’t look like the finished article.

“Chelsea have paid £45m for Palmer and it doesn’t look like he’ll play any more than he did at City.

“It’s nothing in their eyes, but I think he’s got to get both of them in the side.

“Neither player is going to build any confidence if you keep bringing them in and out. They need a run of games.”

In other news, Chelsea board change stance after Pochettino sack update.