Mudryk cleared for Chelsea return, joins pre-season tour in Hong Kong
Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to football and has joined Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong. The 25-year-old winger’s return follows the resolution of anti-doping proceedings by the Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency. He had been provisionally suspended since November 2024 after testing positive for meldonium.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Mudryk’s arrival, noting the player’s challenging period. Alonso emphasised the need for patience as Mudryk integrates back into the squad, stating that he has the full support of the club, teammates, and staff. The manager acknowledged that returning to his previous form will take time, but expressed happiness for Mudryk’s return.
Reinforcements for Pre-Season
Mudryk flew to Hong Kong alongside Danny Welbeck as Chelsea prepares for a pre-season match against Juventus. Other new arrivals include winger Geovany Quenda, who joined from Sporting for £40m, and goalkeeper Mike Penders. Alonso indicated an open competition for the number-one goalkeeper position with Robert Sanchez.
Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson also arrived late to the pre-season camp. They were not part of the squad for the 2-1 defeat against Tottenham on Saturday. Alonso stated that Caicedo and Jackson are expected to play against Juventus. The involvement of other late arrivals will be assessed before subsequent matches against AC Milan and Johor Darul Ta’zim next weekend.
Alonso Manages Expectations
Alonso has been cautious about setting immediate expectations for Mudryk’s performance, highlighting that the timing of his clearance was unexpected. He admitted that the coaching staff were pleasantly surprised by the breakthrough. The manager noted that it is too early to determine Mudryk’s fitness levels and readiness for game time.
Alonso reflected on Mudryk’s previous impact at Shakhtar Donetsk, praising his one-on-one abilities and capacity to create scoring opportunities. He described Mudryk as a special player but reiterated that his full return to form would require time. Mudryk made 73 appearances for Chelsea, scoring ten goals, after joining from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023.
The Chelsea manager acknowledged the emotional toll the anti-doping proceedings likely took on Mudryk, who had been training alone for an extended period. Alonso emphasised the importance of making Mudryk feel like a part of the team again after his long absence from competitive play. He expressed confidence that Mudryk’s return would significantly benefit the squad.
Potential Loan Move Discussed
Reports suggest that Coventry, managed by former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, is interested in a loan deal for Mudryk. Lampard is reportedly keen to leverage his connections at Stamford Bridge to bolster Coventry’s attacking options as they prepare for their return to the top flight. Mudryk made eight appearances under Lampard during his second tenure as Chelsea manager.
The interest in Mudryk is not limited to Coventry, with two other unnamed Premier League sides and three European clubs reportedly monitoring his situation. A temporary move could offer Mudryk an opportunity to regain his rhythm away from the intense scrutiny of west London, especially given the increased competition for attacking positions at Chelsea during his absence. Coventry is scheduled to open their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on August 21.
Mudryk joined Chelsea in a transfer that included add-ons in 2023. He publicly stated that the investigation was the most difficult period of his career, maintaining that he never knowingly or intentionally took any banned substance. He expressed gratitude for the support from his family and friends throughout the process, which concluded with him accepting a breach and agreeing to a suspension equal to the time already served.
Alonso confirmed that while he hadn’t spoken directly with Mudryk, the club is pleased to have him back. The manager’s focus is on integrating Mudryk into the team and assessing his progress as pre-season continues.
Source: bbc.com
