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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is delighted that Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to play after a nearly two-year absence due to a positive doping test. The Ukrainian winger last played for Chelsea in November 2024 but received clearance to return to the pitch on Friday after the English Football Association (FA) resolved his disciplinary proceedings in agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
After Chelsea's 2-1 loss to London rivals Tottenham in front of 80,363 spectators in Sydney today, Alonso stated that Mudryk would join the squad in Hong Kong for the next stage of their pre-season preparations. “I am very happy for him, and for myself too, but most importantly for him. We want him to feel part of the team because he has been training alone for so long. We need to see what happens, as he hasn't played for a long time. Honestly, we didn't expect to hear this great news,” the Blues manager said.
He also welcomed Chelsea's successful appeal against a points deduction imposed by the English Football Association for breaches of transfer regulations. “Any problem that is resolved is a good thing. This could affect the team, so I am happy,” the specialist concluded, as quoted by Reuters.
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