Mykhailo Mudryk could return to action on Wednesday after 20 months out, with the Ukraine international named in Chelsea's squad to face Juventus in a friendly in Hong Kong. The 25-year-old has not played a competitive match since November 2024, when he was provisionally suspended after returning an "adverse finding" for the banned substance meldonium, but he was cleared to return to action last week after resolving his case with the Football Association.
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso said:
"Yes, he could play. Maybe [to play] 90 minutes it's too early, but he can be selected. He's selected, so he can play.
"He trained yesterday, came directly from the airport to the hotel. So, yesterday was more about the feelings, more about the emotions, to be back with the players to assess the fitness level."
How did Mudryk's return begin?
Mudryk received a huge cheer when his picture appeared on the big screen at Kai Tak Stadium, where Chelsea held an open training session before facing Juventus. He then warmed up with the wider group as Elton John's iconic hit
I'm Still Standingplayed over the public address system.
He also took part in a number of possession drills with the squad, playfully wrestling with defender Tosin Adarabioyo before one of them. When the squad split into two groups he joined the one made up of players who appear set to start on the bench for Wednesday's match.
It is a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for Mudryk, who 36 hours earlier had stepped off a plane from London alongside goalkeepers Mike Penders and Gabriel Slonina, wingers Geovany Quenda and Pedro Neto, and new signing Danny Welbeck, shortly after the announcement of his renewed availability.
Those close to Mudryk and others at the club say he felt genuine excitement and relief about returning to the Chelsea dressing room, where he still knows many of the players. Mudryk also trained on Monday, and before the training session, Chelsea filmed him pointing to the club badge, perhaps signalling his appreciation for the support he has received from them during his time away.
From the limited videos and pictures released it seems he was fully involved in the drills, and he already looks like a well-integrated member of the squad once again. Within the restrictions of his suspension, Chelsea kept tabs on him physically and mentally, while several team-mates have stayed in touch and offered encouragement.
Mudryk is understood to be delighted with how he has been treated but much comes down to his efforts during that 20-month spell. According to those close to him, he has done everything possible to preserve his career, focusing on maintaining consistency and intensity in his time away from Chelsea.
Mudryk hired a private coach and booked goalkeepers and outfield players to train against at Honeycroft Stadium, the home of seventh-tier side Uxbridge FC. His personal coach took him on a training camp to Austria for several weeks this summer, knowing he could be returning to football in the near future.
However, the timing of Mudryk's clearance to play, following discussions between his legal team and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), came as a surprise to the player, his representatives and the club.
Those who have seen him behind the scenes say he has been playing table tennis with team-mates at the squad's hotel, where a number of fans gathered in the hope of getting his autograph. The question now is whether these training sessions have been enough to impress Alonso and, in time, show that he is capable of returning to the form that once earned him the nickname
"the Ukrainian Neymar".
What does the future hold for Mudryk?
As for his future, Chelsea have received approaches from three Premier League clubs, one of which is understood to be former manager Frank Lampard's Coventry City to sign him on loan, as well as at least three clubs overseas. Several clubs have also approached the player's representatives, with particularly strong interest coming from Italy.
There is also the option of a move to Strasbourg, a club under the same American ownership group as Chelsea. However, the Ukraine international would occupy one of the club's four non-EU registration slots.
Chelsea, Mudryk and his representatives have entered an initial two-week assessment period to evaluate how he adapts to life back in an elite football environment. The outcome is expected to shape his future, likely giving him clarity just before the transfer deadline on 1 September, with multiple sources insisting that all options remain on the table.
When asked about Mudryk's future before the friendly against Juventus at Kai Tak Stadium on Wednesday, Alonso said:
"No decision has been made. Everything has happened so quick, so the main thing is thinking about the person, to feel that he was back in the group dynamic, part of a team, and we need to assess [how he is doing].
"But for sure, he's a special player. It's a special case with him, so we need to be sensitive."
Mudryk is under contract at Chelsea for five more years until 2031.
