Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso expressed his pleasure at Mykhailo Mudryk’s availability, though he warned that the winger will require time to get back up to speed. The 25-year-old Ukrainian international is set to link up with the squad during their pre-season tour following the conclusion of an investigation by the Football Association (FA) into a doping violation.
Mudryk has been sidelined from competitive football since November 2024, when he received a provisional suspension after testing positive for meldonium. The FA eventually closed the case after Mudryk admitted to the rule breach and agreed to a suspension matching the 20 months he has already served. Throughout this period, the player was barred from Chelsea’s facilities, forcing him to train independently with private coaches.
Alonso acknowledged that the return of the forward is an unexpected boost for a team already well-stocked with wingers such as Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian. While the manager noted that it is currently too early to gauge Mudryk’s physical condition or match sharpness, he emphasized the importance of supporting the player’s reintegration. Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi, who previously coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk, also shared his support, describing the winger as a talented player who deserves a fresh opportunity after a difficult period.
