Graham Potter believes Chelsea fans are in for a treat with Mykhaylo Mudryk's direct approach.
The Blues announced the signing of Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk during the first half of their 1-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, and paraded the Ukraine international at Stamford Bridge during half-time.
That victory came courtesy of Kai Havertz's second-half header and ended a run of three straight defeats across all competitions for the Blues.
Mudryk had looked set to join Premier League rivals Arsenal, but Chelsea swooped in to secure his signature, reportedly paying £89million (€100m) to sign the 22-year-old.
Potter is confident he will be a hit with Chelsea's supporters, telling reporters: "You're never surprised in the transfer window. Things happen when you don't expect them to happen.
"He's a player with a big future, one versus one he's very direct, and he attacks the backline. I think our supporters will really like him."
Eyebrows have been raised at Chelsea's decision to hand the 22-year-old an eight-and-a-half-year contract, but Potter sees no problem.
"I'm the head coach and as you know, I've had enough to worry about and what is right for the club," he added. "If I'm here for the length of his contract, I'll be happy."
Mudryk is Chelsea's fifth signing of a busy January transfer window, and one of those additions made their debut against Palace, with Benoit Badiashile, signed from Monaco, featuring in defence.
The 21-year-old impressed, making a game-high nine clearances and playing more successful passes (71) than anyone on the pitch.
"I thought Benoit did well, really well," Potter added.
"It was a good game for him. [Kalidou] Koulibaly has had a lot of football and the turnaround from Thursday was a consideration.
"He passes the ball well and when he needed to head the ball out he did. He has to adapt to the Premier League. It will take him some time, but it was very positive."
With Chelsea dealing with a long injury list, as well as the suspension of on-loan Joao Felix, Havertz came good at the other end.
Since the start of last season, only Harry Kane (11) has scored more headed goals in the Premier League than the Germany international (six), who acknowledged it has been a difficult spell for the Blues.
"The last few weeks were tough," he said. "For everyone at the club, it is not easy under these circumstances. A lot of things changed this year.
"We have so many injuries, 10-12 injured players. Today we had five young players in the starting XI and they are doing a really good job at the moment.
"I think I was in a good spot. I play in the number nine position and I take the responsibility to score more goals. As a team need to score more goals. I will do my best to help the team."
Union Berlin survive Bundesliga relegation after stoppage-time winner against Freiburg
Union Berlin scored a stoppage-time winner against Freiburg to secure their Bundesliga safety, despite missing two penalties on a dramatic final day.
Marco Grote's side, who participated in the Champions League during the first half of this season under former coach Urs Fischer, occupied the relegation play-off spot heading into the final day of the campaign.
Just three points clear of 17th-place Koln, who travelled to Heidenheim, they welcomed Freiburg to Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, knowing a defeat could spell the end of their five-year stay in the German top flight.
Mainz, two points clear of Union in 15th, moved themselves out of the relegation picture with a commanding 3-1 win at Wolfsburg.
That meant one of Union, Bochum or Koln would join already relegated Darmstadt in the second tier. One would have to settle for a play-off place, while the other would survive.
Koln went down 4-1 at Heidenheim, while Bochum's defeat at Werder Bremen by the same scoreline meant Union could leapfrog them with victory over Freiburg.
The hosts, for whom Josip Juranovic missed a first-half penalty, broke the deadlock in the 68th minute through Benedict Hollerbach.
However, they looked set for a relegation play-off when Ritsu Doan equalised for the visitors with five minutes remaining, before substitute Kevin Volland struck the post with his spot-kick early in stoppage time.
Nevertheless, there was to be a dramatic late twist as Janik Haberer struck in the 92nd minute to catapult Union out of the bottom three and to safety in 15th place.
Brighton confirm surprise departure of De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi will leave Brighton after the Seagulls' final game of the season against Manchester United on Sunday.
Brighton confirmed the surprising news on Saturday, revealing that the club and the Italian coach had mutually agreed to part company.
De Zerbi enjoyed great success in his first season with Brighton, guiding the club to Europe for the first time in their history after he took over from Graham Potter, who had left to join Chelsea.
Brighton had a strong start to 2023-24, but a series of injuries to key players left them depleted and, though they made it through their Europa League group, which also included heavyweights Ajax and Marseille, they were subsequently knocked out by Roma.
Their form in the Premier League has also dropped off, with Brighton managing just four wins since the turn of the year, and ahead of Sunday's meeting with United, the highest they can finish is 10th.
In fact, across their first 19 Premier League matches this season, Brighton were the fifth-highest scorers in the Premier League (38 goals) and had a conversion rate of 13.3 per cent.
However, in their last 18 games since the turn of the year, only Everton (15) have scored fewer goals than the Seagulls (17), with their conversion rate of 6.6 per cent the worst of any side in this time.
De Zerbi was linked with taking over at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp's departure, but the Reds have instead turned to Feyenoord's Arne Slot.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: "Roberto has given us two excellent seasons of service in which he has led the club to new heights, not least our first ever European campaign which will live long in the memory of Albion fans.
"We have mutually agreed to end Roberto’s contract at a time that suits both parties allowing us the earliest opportunity to plan for next season, and Roberto plenty of time to consider his next move and his future.
"I am sure our fans will give Roberto and his staff a wonderful and fully deserved send-off. In the meantime, I'd like to thank Roberto and his staff for all their hard work in the past two seasons. They all leave our club on good terms and with our very best wishes for the future."
De Zerbi said: "I am very sad to be leaving Brighton, but I am very proud of what my players and staff have achieved with the support of everyone at the club and our amazing fans in the past two historical seasons.
"We have agreed to end my time at Brighton so that the club and I can continue to work in the way that suits each of us best, following our own ideas and visions, as well as our work and human values.
"I have really enjoyed an intense and challenging two years working in the Premier League, not least competing in four major competitions this season. Leaving now provides me with time to take a break before deciding on my future plans."
Al-Nassr 1-1 Al-Hilal: Mitrovic scores last-gasp penalty
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a penalty in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time as Al-Hilal denied Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr victory in a 1-1 draw.
Mitrovic netted his 27th Saudi Pro League goal of the campaign after Sadio Mane was harshly judged to have fouled Saud Abdulhamid in the area.
Mane stuck out an arm to shield the ball, catching his opponent in the throat, though the contact appeared to have been outside of the box.
Mitrovic made no mistake to keep Al-Hilal's unbeaten campaign going.
The Serbian's spot-kick cancelled out Otavio's first-minute opener, with Ronaldo having set up his compatriot.
Champions Al-Hilal remain 12 points clear of Al-Nassr at the summit of the Pro League standings.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo the provider
Ronaldo leads the scoring charts in Saudi Arabia this season, though he had to settle for an assist on Friday.
That came from the only chance he created, with the 39-year-old limited to 25 touches, though he did have four shots.
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