Xabi Alonso on Mykhailo Mudryk's Gradual Return to Chelsea After Doping Suspension

Xabi Alonso, Chelsea's manager, expressed his happiness about Mykhailo Mudryk rejoining the squad but stressed that it will take time to gauge the winger’s form and fitness. The 25-year-old Ukrainian has been away since November 2024 due to a doping suspension.

Mudryk's Absence and Return

Mudryk was provisionally suspended after testing positive for meldonium. The Football Association ended its anti-doping case once he accepted the breach and served a suspension of one year and eight months. He is now set to join Chelsea’s pre-season tour, including their upcoming stop in Hong Kong.

Fitness and Reintegration Challenges

After Chelsea’s recent 2-1 friendly loss to Tottenham in Sydney, Alonso commented on Mudryk’s current state. He said it is too soon to assess Mudryk’s match readiness or fitness level since he hasn’t played competitively in a long time. Alonso acknowledged the psychological and physical struggles Mudryk faced during the suspension, noting that he trained alone without access to Chelsea’s facilities or staff.

• Training setup: Private coach and goalkeepers hired by Mudryk
• Training location: Sessions held at non-league club Uxbridge

Alonso believes reintegrating Mudryk will require patience and time, emphasizing the need for the player to feel part of the team again before seeing how quickly he recovers his best form.

Squad Context and Alternatives

Chelsea have strengthened their wing options while Mudryk was sidelined, including players like Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, and Geovany Quenda. Additionally, Cole Palmer and new signing Morgan Rogers (acquired for £117m) can also play wide roles. Alonso admitted Mudryk's return came as unexpected good news given the existing depth on the flanks.

Comments from Roberto de Zerbi

Roberto de Zerbi, currently managing Tottenham and Mudryk’s former coach at Shakhtar Donetsk, shared his thoughts after Spurs’ win at Accor Stadium. He described Mudryk as “like a son” and praised him as a talented and kind player who deserves to play again. De Zerbi hopes Mudryk can demonstrate his true ability this season despite what he endured over the past two years.

“He is a top guy, a good player. I hope he can show, in this next season, what he suffered over the last two years.” – Roberto de Zerbi

Alonso Remembers Mudryk's Early Impact

Reflecting on Mudryk’s previous performances, Alonso recalled watching him at Shakhtar and being impressed by his speed, skill in one-on-one situations, and creativity. He called Mudryk a special player who will definitely need some time to regain full form.