Xabi Alonso Welcomes Mykhailo Mudryk Back to Chelsea but Warns Recovery Will Take Time

Xabi Alonso, manager of Chelsea, has expressed his pleasure at welcoming winger Mykhailo Mudryk back into the squad, though he stresses it is too soon to judge what the player can offer on the pitch. The Ukrainian, aged 25, will join Chelsea's ongoing pre-season tour after resolving a doping case with the Football Association.

Background on Mudryk’s Absence

Mudryk has not featured in competitive matches since November 2024, following a provisional suspension related to an adverse test for the banned substance meldonium. The FA has now closed its anti-doping proceedings, acknowledging Mudryk’s acceptance of breaching rules and serving a suspension totaling one year and eight months.

Pre-Season Tour and Fitness Concerns

After Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to a ten-man Tottenham in Sydney, Alonso confirmed that Mudryk will join the team’s next stop in Hong Kong. He admitted he had yet to speak directly with the player but noted, "It’s too early to assess his fitness or match readiness." Alonso emphasized the difficulty Mudryk faced during his suspension period, isolated from club training and unable to engage with staff. Instead, Mudryk trained independently, including sessions with a private coach and goalkeepers, often practicing at non-league side Uxbridge.

"He trained on his own every day, and I think it had to be really, really hard because he wanted to play football, be part of a team, and he was not allowed to do that for such a long time," Alonso said.

Alonso expects the reintegration process to take time but looks forward to seeing how Mudryk progresses once fully involved with the team.

Chelsea’s Winger Options and Mudryk’s Role

The manager also acknowledged that Mudryk’s return was somewhat unexpected given the strong competition for wing positions at Chelsea. Current options include Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, and Geovany Quenda. Additionally, Cole Palmer and new £117 million signing Morgan Rogers can also operate on the flanks.

"Honestly, we were not expecting this great news at this moment," Alonso remarked.

Support from Former Manager Roberto de Zerbi

Meanwhile, Roberto de Zerbi, who currently manages Tottenham and coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, spoke warmly about the player’s character and talent.

"He is another who is my son. I am very happy. He deserves to play," de Zerbi said. "He is a top guy, a good player. I hope he can show this next season what he suffered over the last two years. Maybe not against Tottenham, but he is a lovely guy and a very, very good player."

De Zerbi also reflected on leaving Shakhtar due to the war, not football, praising Mudryk as one of his former players who gave their all.

Alonso Recalls Mudryk’s Impact at Shakhtar

Alonso added, "I remember watching him at Shakhtar, the impact he had, how quick he was, how good he was in one-on-one situations and how he could create a lot of chances on his own. He’s a special player, but he will need time, for sure."