Enzo Maresca believes “slow” learner Mykhailo Mudryk is starting to prove his worth

Enzo Maresca admitted Mykhailo Mudryk was a slower learner than his Chelsea teammates but praised the winger's performance in his side's 4-1 win over Panathinaikos.

It was an efficient yet thorough performance in Athens to maintain the visitors' perfect start to the Conference League and the Ukrainian's contribution was crucial, scoring the second goal with a brave header and setting up two goals for Joao Felix.

Maresca previously urged Mudryk to take advantage of his selection in the starting XI and prove the worth of his £88million transfer fee, and those words were heeded as the 23-year-old played his strongest game of the season at the Olympic Stadium.

“We are working with him and all the wingers,” said Maresca. “You have to arrive in the penalty area in the position where Misha shot. It was difficult for him to get there, but now he has started. We'll score goals there.

“We want the best for Misha, we have been trying to help him since day one. He is probably one of those whose learning process is slower than the others.

“But he’s doing better. I am sure that we will slowly get to the point where he will score more goals and become more important to us.”

Given the size and passion of the home team in Athens, one might have expected this to be Chelsea's toughest league outing in the competition.

But they defused Panathinaikos with a goal midway through the first half before overwhelming them with three goals within 15 minutes of the break.

Felix opened the scoring by establishing a good connection with Mudryk before receiving the ball back and curling it in from six yards. The Ukrainian then became the goalscorer himself after he determined to beat his defender to the ball and head in Pedro Neto's cross.

A deflection sent the ball past goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski as Felix scored his second and Chelsea's third. Then the Portuguese international won the penalty with which Christopher Nkunku scored his eighth goal of the season.

Former Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri scored the consolation goal but despite making 11 changes to the team that lost to Liverpool, Chelsea's dominance was never in question.

“The most important thing is that no matter how many players we change, you recognize the identity of the team,” said Maresca. “The identity is very clear.

“What we want is exactly what they do; We take advantage of the opportunity when we give it to them. Tonight they showed that again.”

Asked whether a club of Chelsea's size could ever prioritize this competition, Maresca said: “If we are a Champions League club, why are we in the Conference League?” That's because we're in this one Currently belong to the Conference League. At the end of the day, football always gets you where you’re supposed to be.”

Panathinaikos manager Diego Alonso said his team had caused the defeat themselves.

“We played well for 22 minutes, then we made a mistake that led to the first goal,” he said.

“In the second half we lost concentration for 15 minutes and that was enough to concede three goals. This happens when you play against a top team in the Premier League. If you make a mistake, you’ll pay hard.”