Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Mykhailo Mudryk will be integrated into his first-team squad again for the Blues’ pre-season tour in Hong Kong, having been cleared by anti-doping authorities to return to the pitch.
Having not featured for Chelsea since November, when anti-doping charges were brought, the 25-year-old Ukraine winger’s professional career now looks to be clear, after the case, brought forward by the Football Association and with input from the World Anti-Doping Agency, has now been concluded.
Alonso’s welcome news comes with the assertion, however, that it’s “unrealistic” to expect Mudryk to have ‘a immediate bounce’ back after months spent training in isolation.
“We are happy for him. We understand he had a difficult time, and for him to feel a part of the group again is really important, and all of the club supporters support him too. And now we’ll do this carefully and not ask him for an immediate bounce.”
The Spain international lauded Mudryk, claiming that he ‘always was’ a player he admired ‘Since the Shakhtar-Donetsk time and now also’.
He highlighted his pace, dribbling skills and one-v-one ability as qualities Mudryk will hope to tap back into after joining Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 and notching ten goals in 73 appearances prior to being removed from play.
