Mykhailo Mudryk made an emotional return to Chelsea action on Wednesday, restarting his career days after his anti-doping suspension was reduced.
The Ukraine winger entered from the bench during Chelsea’s pre-season Tour meeting with Juventus in Hong Kong. It was his first appearance since he was informed of an adverse analytical finding in December 2024.
Quick facts
- Mudryk is 25 years old.
- His comeback came against Juventus in Hong Kong.
- Chelsea lost the pre-season match 1-0.
- He joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for an initial £62 million fee.
“I am very happy for him,” Chelsea manager Xavi Alonso said after the defeat. He described Mudryk’s return as an emotional moment for the entire club.
Alonso had told the winger before kick-off that he might receive 10 or 15 minutes. Mudryk was delighted by the prospect of playing again after such a lengthy spell away from the team, the manager said, adding that the occasion carried strong significance for everyone involved.
Chelsea signed Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for an initial £62 million ($78.72 million). His career appeared to be in serious danger after the English Football Association imposed a four-year suspension for a positive test for meldonium.
Mudryk consistently denied knowingly or deliberately using any prohibited substance. On Friday, he was allowed to return to competition after the FA completed its disciplinary process in consultation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Before the Juventus fixture, Alonso said Chelsea had made “no decision” about the player’s long-term future. Afterward, however, he stressed that restoring Mudryk to the field had been an important step.
“This went beyond football,” Alonso said. “It was a human and emotional choice, giving him a lift and allowing him to experience the tremendous backing and warm welcome he received when he came onto the pitch.”
Following last week’s hearing, the FA said Mudryk’s sample would not have produced an adverse finding under WADA’s current technical guidance. The relevant technical document was changed after the player’s test.
“Had Mr Mudryk’s sample been taken today, its meldonium level would not have been reported and no anti-doping rule violations would have followed,” the FA said.
