Ukrainian footballer Mykhailo Mudryk came on as a substitute for the first time since November 2024 in a pre-season friendly against "Juventus" in Hong Kong, Sky Sports reports, writes UNN.
Details
Mudryk was cleared to return to action after his doping suspension was overturned last week. The 25-year-old player had been suspended for four years following a failed test that detected a low concentration of meldonium, a banned substance, two years ago.
Mudryk appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while changes to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) procedures temporarily mean that if his failed test produced the same result now, charges would not be brought.
Mudryk is now part of Xabi Alonso's squad as the new manager prepares "Chelsea" for the Premier League season, which will begin later this month.
As Sky Sports points out, "Mykhailo Mudryk has a high chance of going out on loan, but "Chelsea" plan to give him a chance to play in pre-season before making a decision about his future."
Mudryk joined the "Chelsea" squad in Hong Kong at the beginning of this week.
Mudryk returned to Chelsea: arrived in Hong Kong, prepares for pre-season training03.08.26, 16:53
""Chelsea" plan to take their time assessing the 25-year-old's level and what the next best step for the player is. As part of this plan, "Chelsea" intend to give Mudryk a few minutes in the first team during pre-season matches," the publication said before Mudryk came on as a substitute in the first game after his suspension was overturned.
Asked about Mudryk on Tuesday, manager Xabi Alonso replied: "No decision has been made yet. Everything happened so quickly, so the main thing is to think about the person, feel that he has returned to the group dynamic, become part of the team, and we need to assess [how he is doing]. But undoubtedly, he is a special player. It is a special case with him, so we need to be delicate."
As reported by the popular football club fan account londonwillalwaysbeblue on X, Mudryk will wear the number 43 shirt for "Chelsea".
Mykhailo Mudryk: four-year disqualification overturned, I return to football31.07.26, 18:41