Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Understandably, Mykhailo Mudryk was a major talking point following Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in pre-season.
Mudryk did not play against Roberto De Zerbi’s side, but he is available for selection again after having his doping ban lifted.
Xabi Alonso has now given a positive update on the winger following Chelsea’s latest pre-season match.
Player ratings vs Tottenham
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Mykhailo Mudryk set to link up with Chelsea squad
Chelsea’s pre-season tour is not finished, with the Blues now set to travel to Hong Kong. There, Mudryk will meet up with the rest of the squad, Alonso has confirmed.
In his post-match press conference, the Spaniard told football.london and other outlets: “He’s coming to Hong Kong, yes.”
Whether Mudryk remains part of Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2026/27 campaign remains to be seen.
In the left-wing position, Chelsea have Morgan Rogers, who cost them £117m, and Jamie Gittens.
Mudryk needs to play after missing so much football, and that is unlikely to happen with both Rogers and Gittens ahead of him in the pecking order. With that in mind, a loan move could be the best thing for the Ukrainian.
Mykhailo Mudryk of Chelsea
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Xabi Alonso raves about Mykhailo Mudryk’s one-v-one ability
Alonso seems more than open to reintegrating Mudryk into the first team at some stage, perhaps even now.
He was a fan of the Ukraine international during his time at Shakhtar Donetsk, impressed with his ability in one-v-one situations.
“I watched him at Shakhtar, the impact he had, how good he is in one-v-one situations,” Alonso added. “He can create a lot of situations on his own. He’s a special player. But it will take time, for sure.”
Chelsea’s next pre-season game is against Juventus before they take on the Old Lady’s Serie A rivals AC Milan.
It is not quite clear when Mudryk will put on a blue shirt again, but when he does, you would expect him to get quite the reception.
It has obviously been a difficult period for the former Shakhtar man, but a lot of Chelsea supporters have really stood by him and refused to give up on their player. It will now be interesting to see what the future holds for this talented attacker.