Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has addressed the return of Mykhailo Mudryk to the squad following the Ukrainian winger’s doping ban being lifted.
Mudryk, who has been sidelined from competitive football for nearly two years, was recently cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to resume playing after a partial successful appeal against his initial four-year suspension. This development marks a critical juncture for both the player and the London club as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Mudryk’s return is fraught with challenges, as the 25-year-old must rebuild his fitness and match sharpness after such a prolonged absence. Alonso acknowledged the uphill battle ahead, emphasizing the psychological and physical toll the ban must have taken on the player. “It’s too early to tell how he is in terms of fitness, in terms of the game time you need to be involved again, so it’s still too early to tell,” Alonso stated. The Spaniard expressed empathy for Mudryk’s ordeal, highlighting how difficult it must have been for him to train alone without the chance to compete or integrate with the team.
The Chelsea boss continued, “We are happy for him, especially for him, because we are probably not able to understand what he has been through during this time and how he feels at the moment with the things he has had to cope with.” Alonso praised Mudryk’s dedication, noting that the player trained independently every day despite the restrictions. “I think it had to be really, really hard because he wanted to play football, he wanted to be part of a team, and he was not allowed to do that for such a long time,” Alonso added.
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea in 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported £62 million, now faces the immense task of proving his value to the club. Alonso was clear about the club’s approach moving forward: “Afterwards we will see if it’s quicker or slower, but we need to be aware of that. We want him to feel part of the team. Once he is with us, we will see how things develop.”
This return offers Mudryk a final chance to demonstrate his ability and justify his hefty transfer fee, but the road back to full competitive form will require patience and careful management. Chelsea’s willingness to support him through this transition underscores the club’s belief in his potential impact once he regains full fitness and confidence on the pitch.