ไทย
English
中國人
Mykhailo Mudryk has returned to Chelsea training following a 20-month doping-related suspension. While he has joined the Blues on their preseason tour across Asia, the Ukrainian forward's future at the club remains highly uncertain.
Mudryk has been absent from competitive football—for Chelsea or any other side—since November 28, 2024. The pacey winger returned a positive test for a banned substance known as Meldonium, which, while not a performance-enhancing drug, can assist athletes with recovery speed and endurance.
The English Football Association initially handed Mudryk a four-year ban; however, a recent update to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) technical documentation worked in his favor, as the low concentration of Meldonium detected in his urine sample would no longer constitute a "positive test" under the revised guidelines.
Mudryk, the FA, and WADA reached a settlement enabling the 25-year-old to return to professional football after nearly two years, bringing an end to what he described as the "most difficult period of his career." He has since flown to Hong Kong to link up with Chelsea, though his role for the upcoming season remains unclear.
Xabi Alonso Reveals Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk Plan
Much has changed at Chelsea since Mudryk's final appearance in the early stages of the Enzo Maresca era. In the time since, Liam Rosenior, Callum McFarlane, and now Xabi Alonso have each taken charge of the club.
Several left wingers have also cycled through the squad. Jadon Sancho and João Félix were competing with Mudryk for a starting spot when he last featured, and both have since departed. He would now face competition from Jamie Gittens and record signing Morgan Rogers—while Alejandro Garnacho arrived and left during Mudryk's ban.
Despite the dramatically transformed Chelsea setup, Alonso has already outlined his intentions for Mudryk and called the lifting of his ban "great news."
"He is coming to Hong Kong [for preseason]," Alonso said following Chelsea's friendly against Tottenham. "We are happy for him—especially for him. We probably can't fully understand what he has gone through during this period and how he feels right now given everything he's had to deal with.
Bolstering our pre-season squad. 💪
ℹ️: https://t.co/vnHjrViYV9 pic.twitter.com/Lugmtfma6n
"We want him to feel like part of the group because he has been working alone for a long time. He has the full support of everyone—the club, his teammates, and the staff. It will certainly take time, but once he's integrated with us, we'll see how things progress."
The extended layoff and lack of team training will inevitably leave Mudryk needing time to shake off the rust. Nevertheless, he will be given the opportunity to get back up to speed and demonstrate his readiness to contribute to Chelsea's 2026–27 ambitions. Alonso made no secret of his appreciation for the Ukrainian's exceptional ability.
"I remember watching him at Shakhtar," Alonso admitted. "The impact he made, his pace, his quality in one-on-one duels, his ability to create chances on his own—he's a special player, but it will definitely take time."
Though Mudryk's return came as a surprise, Alonso appears genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of working with him.
"We weren't expecting to receive this great news at this point," Alonso added. "We're very pleased and believe he will be a real asset for us."
Mudryk's Future Could Be Away From Chelsea
Alonso may be genuine in his enthusiasm for Mudryk's comeback, but the winger's continued presence at Chelsea is far from assured. Even prior to his ban, Mudryk struggled to establish himself as a consistent presence at the club following a deal worth up to $108.4 million (€100 million, £89 million) that brought him to Stamford Bridge in January 2023.
He showed flashes of quality on occasion but managed only 10 goals across 73 appearances, never truly nailing down a starting berth. Now, returning after a 20-month absence with Rogers expected to be a key figure in his position, Mudryk's opportunities at Chelsea could be severely limited.
Nevertheless, reports suggest that three Premier League clubs—including former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard's newly-promoted Coventry City—have already made inquiries about the winger. A permanent sale seems unlikely given his market value is at an all-time low, but a loan arrangement could well be on the table.
A loan move could provide Mudryk with the regular game time needed to rediscover his best form and rebuild his market value—a scenario that could benefit all parties. And in typical Chelsea fashion, a temporary switch to sister club Strasbourg in Ligue 1 is also a genuine option worth considering.
For now, Mudryk will have the chance to impress Alonso and prove he can play a meaningful role in the Spaniard's project at Chelsea. However, before the transfer window closes, it would come as little surprise if he is moved on to reignite his career elsewhere. Every avenue will likely be explored when it comes to deciding what lies ahead for Mudryk.