Pochettino handed boost as Mudryk impresses for Ukraine Under-21s

Mauricio Pochettino has been handed a boost this summer as Mykhailo Mudryk's impressive performances for Ukraine Under-21s show there's plenty more to come from the youngster

A 12th-placed finish in the Premier League and early exits from the domestic cups means there's plenty to improve upon, while a lack of European football may be a blessing in being able to make a push for a return to the continental competitions. A trimming of the squad has also been required this summer.

As many as 10 exits have already been confirmed from the first-team, with yet more moves still expected in the coming weeks. While there will likely be incomings, a huge part of Pochettino's medium-to-long-term task will also be making the most of some of the promising talent at the club and developing into the players they can become.

A deal worth up to £88million was paid to Shakhtar Donetsk for the winger, which saw the Blues beat rivals Arsenal to his signature despite months of hints over a move to north London. A promising cameo against Liverpool heightened expectations, but a mixture of fitness concerns, poor team performances and individual performances led to questions over his ability.

Mudryk is determined to leave his mark though and made himself available for the Ukraine Under-21s for the championships this summer. The youngster has had a chance to build up some fitness before the season begins, also building confidence with some brilliant displays.

The latest was against Spain in the semi-finals, where his bursting round on the wing took him one-on-one with the full-back, which he beat with some step overs before finding a cut back pass for an assist. What followed would have been disappointing as the opposition ran out as winners, but Mudryk's aim of building confidence and fitness over the summer seems to have worked so far.

Pochettino may have been handed a boost from that determination, but also from the early exit from the competition too as the Ukrainian international can get an earlier break and return to action earlier than if he was to progress to the final. Pochettino's success could hinge on unlocking Mudryk and he's showing all the drive and flashes of ability that could allow for just that.