The Ukraine international winger joined us on loan from Chelsea on Tuesday, reuniting him with Roberto, who ‘Misha’ described as ‘such a crucial coach in my career’ after their time together at Shakhtar Donetsk.
Mykhailo had already made his debut for Shakhtar at the age of 17, but had been out on two domestic loans when Roberto arrived in May, 2021. He quickly became a key part of the team, his performances earning him the accolades of Shakhtar's Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and Ukraine’s Footballer of the Year for 2022.
Under Roberto, and with Mykhailo flying down either wing, Shakhtar won the Ukrainian Super Cup in 2021/22 and the Ukrainian league title success the following season – Chelsea came knocking in January, 2023.
Four years on, the pair are back together in Tottenham.
In his first, exclusive interview on SPURSPLAY, Misha told us: “I'm so excited to reunite with Roberto De Zerbi. He's my football father. I believe in him, I trust him. If he needs me, I'm always here. I know what he wants from me, and with him I'm always feeling I'm improving.
“He can take out the best of you, and he puts you on the right way to develop your skills, your game, such a smart, offensive and dominant type of playing, which suits all attacking players.
“He demands from his players their best. That's why you can play on your best qualities. I think he was such a crucial coach in my career, which embraced my potential, but not 100%. I think he knows how to do it even more.
“It's such a great feeling to be here. I cannot wait to start training, to start playing for this club.
“I clearly see it's such a strong team, such good players. I'm really looking forward to it, to play with them, and to share the pitch, share the dressing room, and share all the moments with them.”
Watch | Misha's first interview in full