Mudryk Returns as Chelsea Weigh His Next Move

Mykhailo Mudryk returned to the Chelsea team in a 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong, days after learning that his anti-doping ban had been reduced.

According to Reuters, the 25-year-old Ukraine winger came off the bench at Kai Tak Sports Park. It was his first action since he was told of an adverse analytical finding in December 2024.

Mudryk had maintained that he never knowingly or intentionally took a prohibited substance. He was cleared to resume playing on Friday after the Football Association concluded disciplinary proceedings in agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The FA said that, under the current technical document, the concentration of meldonium in Mudryk’s sample would not have been reported and would not have resulted in an anti-doping rule violation.

Mudryk returns as Chelsea assess his future

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso described Mudryk’s return as an emotional moment for the club after the Juventus defeat. Alonso said the decision to bring the winger on was not solely a football decision, but one intended to give him a boost and allow him to feel the support around his return.

Alonso had told Mudryk before the match that he could play for a short period, and said the player was pleased to be back on the pitch after a long absence from the team.

Before the game, Alonso said no decision had been made about Mudryk’s future at Chelsea. That leaves the club with an assessment to make as the winger resumes his involvement with the squad.

A return after disciplinary proceedings

Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for an initial fee of £62 million. His career at the club was interrupted when the English FA imposed a four-year ban after he tested positive for meldonium.

The winger’s appearance against Juventus followed the conclusion of the disciplinary process and his clearance to play again. His return provided Chelsea with an opportunity to bring him back into the team environment during pre-season.

Reuters reported that the match was Mudryk’s first action since the adverse analytical finding in December 2024. Alonso said after the game that getting him back onto the pitch had been important.

What happens next

For now, Chelsea have not made a decision on Mudryk’s longer-term future. His comeback against Juventus marked a first step after the resolution of his case, while Alonso and the club continue to assess their options.

The immediate focus is on Mudryk’s return to the group following a lengthy period away from match action. The Juventus friendly gave him his first minutes back for Chelsea and an emotional reception from those at the club.