Xabi Alonso Chelsea training
Xabi Alonso Chelsea training
Welbeck’s signing from Brighton and Hove Albion was officially confirmed on Friday, while Mudryk is back with the group after the anti-doping proceedings, which kept him out of action since December 2024, were resolved.
The attacking duo, alongside Mike Penders, Gabriel Slonina, Geovany Quenda and Pedro Neto, linked up with the squad yesterday (Monday) for the second leg of our tour, which includes a game against Serie A side at Kai Tak Stadium.
Tickets for the game on Wednesday are still available – and it will also be broadcast live on CFC+.
Alonso understandably insists that patience will be taken with Mudryk – and the focus following the Ukraine international’s arrival in Hong Kong has been his reintegration into the squad. Yet the Chelsea manager says the 25-year-old and Welbeck can be called upon in the fixtures ahead.
‘Yes,’ Alonso replied when asked if the duo are ready to feature. ‘He (Mudryk) came direct from the airport to the hotel.
'Yesterday was more about the feelings, the emotions to be back with the team more than assessing the fitness level. He could play, maybe 90 minutes too early, but he can be selected. He is selected so he can play.’
Alonso continued: ‘We are thrilled that Misha could be with us. You could see his smile, how great the feeling is for him to be part of the team because he has been training on his own for a long time.
'Fitness level we will see, but he has been working hard, and now it’s about trying to get him back into things with team-mates and integrating into the dynamic. But the first feeling for everyone is that we are happy he is back with the team and us.'
Also in contention to return against Juventus is Robert Sanchez, who was absent from our last pre-season outing against Tottenham Hotspur
The goalkeeper was involved in open training this evening and Alonso confirmed the Spaniard is ‘much better’ having overcome a minor injury.
Not with us out in Hong Kong is Jordan Henderson, whose signing was officially confirmed yesterday. Having helped England finish third at this summer’s World Cup, the midfielder is enjoying a short holiday before getting to work at Cobham.
And Alonso says the fitness of the 36-year-old, who sustained an arm injury during the World Cup, will be assessed once he begins training with his new team-mates.
‘With Jordan, we expect he can start training with all the rest of the players who were involved in the semis of the World Cup. We had a few of them involved, so we are looking forward to welcoming them.
‘We need to assess Jordan because of the injury he had, how long it will take for him to be fit to compete. He can train but we need to be aware of the situation.’