Alonso welcomes Modric's return to Chelsea

Ukrainian midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk will be welcomed with great enthusiasm upon his return to Chelsea this week in Hong Kong, according to the club’s Spanish coach, Xabi Alonso, who stressed that the player will not be rushed back into action after winning his appeal against a doping-related ban. The Ukrainian international had been suspended for four years after a 2024 doping test came back positive, revealing traces of the banned substance mildronate. Mudryk was cleared on Friday and allowed to resume his career after the English Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reached a “settlement on appeal.”

Alonso, who is with his team in Sydney, Australia, said: “We are happy, especially for him, because we cannot fully comprehend what he has been through during this period and how he feels now.” He added: “We want him to feel like part of the team, as he hasn’t felt that way for a long time, and that he has the support of everyone – the club, his teammates, and the coaching staff.”

The former Real Madrid manager continued: “To be honest, we did not expect this wonderful news at this moment, so we are delighted to know that he will be with us.” Mudryk will join Chelsea during the second phase of pre-season preparations in Hong Kong, where the Blues face Italian side Juventus on Wednesday, following a 2-1 defeat to London rivals Tottenham in Sydney two days ago.

However, Alonso emphasized that Mudryk’s return to the squad will not be immediate. The 25-year-old, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for $83 million, has not played since November 2024. Alonso said: “It will take some time. But once this change happens, things will start to move forward, and for him, the difference compared to training alone every day is huge.” He added: “I think it was extremely difficult, because he wanted to play football and be part of the team, but he wasn’t allowed to do so throughout this entire period.”