Xabi Alonso reveals Chelsea plan for Mykhaylo Mudryk after doping ban lifted - ‘He’s a special player’

React to this story

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has revealed what the plan is for Mykhaylo Mudryk after the Ukrainian’s doping ban was lifted. After failing a drugs test, Mudryk was handed a four-year ban, meaning he would have been unable to return until 2028.

Maresca insists Man City job will not be ‘copy-and-paste’ of Guardiola's reign

Video credit: SNTV

However, those charges were dropped on July 31 after changes were made to a World Anti Doping Agency technical document, meaning that if Mudryk’s 2024 sample was taken today, the concentration of the banned substance meldonium would not have been reported.

The winger is, therefore, free to return to action with immediate effect. So what is the future for the 25-year-old at the Premier League club?

Speaking after Chelsea’s pre-season defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, Alonso said: "We are happy for him.

Premier League

Alonso coy on Chelsea future for 'special' Mudryk ahead of potential return

2 hours ago

"We are probably not able to understand what he has been through in these moments. We want him to be a part of the team. He has the support of everyone.

"It will take time but once things have changed, things will start moving. It's massive. He wants to play football and be part of the team. It must have been really hard for him.

"I watched him at Shakhtar [Donetsk], the impact he had, how good he is in one-v-one situations. He can create a lot of situations on his own. He's a special player."

Alonso unveiled as Chelsea boss at first press conference - 'We are starting from zero'

Video credit: SNTV

Mudryk moved to Chelsea from Shakhtar in January 2023 for £62 million, and has registered 10 goals and 11 assists in 73 appearances in all competitions for The Blues.

Chelsea were taking on Spurs at Accor Stadium in Sydney as anticipation ramps up for the start of the new Premier League season.

Sandro Tonali gave Spurs the lead in the 17th minute, before Estevao Willian quickly equalised.

Kevin Danso was then sent off early in the second half, giving Chelsea a numerical advantage, but they were unable to make it count, with Richarlison grabbing a stoppage-time winner.

Despite the result, Alonso was pleased with what he saw from his players.

"It’s pre-season, the result is not the most important [thing]," he added. "I think that it was good for many players that they played for the first time 75 minutes. The workload, it was a competitive game. This is what we are expecting in the Premier League.

"You always want to win, but apart from that, we take the positives."

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Download the TNT Sports app on iPhone and Android.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Transfers

Mudryk linked with surprise transfer - Paper Round

12 hours ago

Transfers

Como reach agreement to sign Chalobah, Barca hold Rodri interest - Euro Transfer News

Yesterday at 18:09