Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has called for patience over Mykhailo Mudryk's reintegration into the squad following the resolution of the Ukrainian winger's doping ban. The 25-year-old is now eligible to play after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Football Association resolved his case, with Chelsea confirming the news on Friday.
Mudryk's ban and return to training
Mudryk was charged with anti-doping rule violations by the Football Association in June last year after a sample taken in 2024 tested positive for meldonium, a substance that can enhance respiratory capacity and stamina. The Ukraine international, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in an £89 million deal in January 2023, has not played for the club since November 2024.
Mudryk has consistently maintained that the failed test came as a 'complete shock', insisting he had never knowingly used a banned substance. Now, with the ban lifted, he is set to link up with the Chelsea squad in Hong Kong for the remainder of their pre-season tour.
Alonso's supportive message
Speaking after Chelsea's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in Sydney on Saturday, Alonso expressed his happiness for Mudryk and emphasized the need for time. 'We are happy for him, especially for him,' Alonso said. 'Because… probably we are not able to understand what we've been through in these times, with the things he had to cope with. We want him to be a part of the team. He has the support of everyone, from the club, the teammates, the staff. For sure, it will take time, so once he's with us we will see how things develop.'
When asked about Mudryk's immediate future, Alonso remained cautious: 'We need to see, it's too early to tell to see in terms of fitness, the game time that you need to be involved again, it's still too early to tell. It will take time, once things have changed, things will start moving. For him it's a massive change, he's been training on his own every day, it must have been really, really hard because he wanted to play football, to be part of a team, and he was not allowed to do that for such a long time. Once this change will happen things will move on and after we will see if it's quicker or slower, but we need to be aware of that.'
Alonso's admiration for Mudryk's talent
Alonso also took time to praise Mudryk's abilities, recalling his time at Shakhtar. 'I remember watching him at Shakhtar, the impact he had, how quick he is, how good he is in one-vs-one situations, how he could create a lot of situations on his own. He's a special player. But it will take time, for sure. To be honest, we were not expecting to have this great news at this moment. So we are very happy, we feel he will be happy with us.'
The news of Mudryk's eligibility comes as a boost for Chelsea, who are looking to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. The club's pre-season tour has been a mixed bag, with the recent defeat to Tottenham highlighting areas for improvement. Mudryk's return adds depth to the attacking options, but Alonso's comments suggest that the coaching staff will be careful not to rush the player back into competitive action.
Looking ahead
As Chelsea continue their preparations in Hong Kong, all eyes will be on Mudryk's integration into the team. The club's fans will be eager to see the winger back in action, but Alonso's message is clear: patience is key. The coming weeks will be crucial for Mudryk as he works on his fitness and regains match sharpness after a prolonged absence.
For now, the focus is on supporting the player through this transition. With the backing of the club, teammates, and staff, Mudryk will have every opportunity to rediscover the form that made him one of Europe's most exciting prospects. As Alonso noted, it's a massive change for the player, and the club is ready to give him the time he needs.
