EPL: Mudryk needs time to regain match fitness, says Alonso

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has welcomed the return of winger Mykhailo Mudryk to the squad, confirming the Ukraine international will participate in the club's pre-season tour in Hong Kong. However, Alonso cautioned that Mudryk will require time to regain full match fitness following a lengthy suspension.

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Yes, he is coming to Hong Kong, but I haven’t spoken to him yet. It’s too early to tell how he is in terms of fitness, in terms of the game time you need to be involved again, so it’s still too early to tell.

Mudryk, 25, has been sidelined from competitive matches since November 2024 after an adverse analytical finding for the banned substance meldonium. The Football Association concluded its anti-doping proceedings after Mudryk admitted to breaching anti-doping regulations. He accepted a suspension equivalent to the one year and eight months he had already served.

Speaking after Chelsea's pre-season defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Alonso stated the club is delighted to have Mudryk back, particularly given the personal challenges he has faced. "We are probably not able to understand what he has been through during this time and how he feels at the moment with the things he has had to cope with," Alonso remarked.

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But we are happy for him, especially for him, because we are probably not able to understand what he has been through during this time and how he feels at the moment with the things he has had to cope with.

During his suspension, Mudryk was prohibited from training at Chelsea's facilities or working with the club's coaching staff. He maintained his fitness through private coaching and training sessions with goalkeepers at a non-league club. Alonso acknowledged that returning to competitive football after such a prolonged absence will demand patience, noting, "We expect that it will take time."

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We expect that it will take time. He trained on his own every day, and I think it had to be really, really hard because he wanted to play football, he wanted to be part of a team, and he was not allowed to do that for such a long time.

Alonso admitted Mudryk's availability was an unexpected development, especially with Chelsea having strengthened their attacking options during his absence. The manager emphasized the team's desire for Mudryk to feel reintegrated, stating, "We want him to feel part of the team. Once he is with us, we will see how things develop."

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Afterwards we will see if it’s quicker or slower, but we need to be aware of that. We want him to feel part of the team. Once he is with us, we will see how things develop.