Xabi Alonso on Mykhailo Mudryk's Gradual Return to Chelsea
Xabi Alonso has expressed his happiness about having Mykhailo Mudryk back with Chelsea, though he insists it is too soon to assess what the winger can contribute. The 25-year-old Ukrainian will join the club’s pre-season tour following the resolution of his doping case with the Football Association (FA).
Mudryk's Absence and Doping Case
The last competitive match Mudryk played for Chelsea was in November 2024. He was suspended provisionally after testing positive for meldonium, a banned substance. After serving a suspension of one year and eight months, the FA concluded its anti-doping proceedings once Mudryk accepted the breach of rules.
Reintegration into Pre-Season
Following a 2-1 defeat to a 10-man Tottenham during a friendly in Sydney, Alonso confirmed that Mudryk would join the squad in Hong Kong. “Yes, he is coming to Hong Kong, but I haven’t spoken to him yet,” Alonso said.
“It’s too early to tell how he is in terms of fitness or game readiness. He needs to get involved again, so we need time.”
Alonso emphasized the difficulty of Mudryk’s situation. He highlighted that the player trained alone, away from Chelsea’s facilities, hiring his own coaches and training with non-league side Uxbridge.
“He trained every day on his own. That must have been really tough because he wanted to play, to be part of a team, but wasn’t allowed for so long.”
Alonso expects the process of reintegration to take time. “We want him to feel part of the team and then see how things progress,” he added.
Competition for Places on the Wing
Alonso acknowledged that Mudryk’s return comes as a surprise since Chelsea has developed several options for the wing positions. Players like Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, and Geovany Quenda are all competing, along with Cole Palmer and new £117 million signing Morgan Rogers.
“Honestly, we weren’t expecting such good news at this moment,” Alonso admitted.
Roberto de Zerbi’s Support for Mudryk
After Spurs’ win at Accor Stadium, Roberto de Zerbi, who managed Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, shared his thoughts. De Zerbi said he remains in contact with Mudryk and praised him warmly.
“He’s like a son to me. I’m very happy for him. He deserves to play. He is a top guy and a very good player.”
De Zerbi also reflected on Mudryk’s challenges over the past two years, hoping the player can demonstrate his true abilities this season.
Alonso Recalls Mudryk’s Talent
Alonso remembered watching Mudryk at Shakhtar, noting his speed and skill in one-on-one situations. “He’s a special player but definitely will need time to get back,” Alonso said.
- Player: Mykhailo Mudryk
- Age: 25
- Last Competitive Match: November 2024
- Doping Suspension Length: 1 year and 8 months
- Next Pre-Season Tour Destination: Hong Kong
- Chelsea's Wing Options: Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, Geovany Quenda, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers (£117m)
