Mykhailo Mudryk could return to action following 20 months on the sidelines on Wednesday after being named in Chelsea‘s squad to play Juventus in a friendly in Hong Kong.
The Ukraine international, 25, has not played a competitive match since November 2024, having been provisionally suspended after returning an “adverse finding” for banned substance meldonium.
But he was cleared to return to action last week after resolving his case with the Football Association.
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso said: “Yes, he could play. Maybe [to play] 90 minutes it’s too early, but he can be selected. He’s selected, so he can play.
“He trained yesterday, came directly from the airport to the hotel. So, yesterday was more about the feelings, more about the emotions, to be back with the players to assess the fitness level.”
Mudryk received a huge cheer when his picture appeared on the big screen at Kai Tak Stadium, where Chelsea held an open training session before facing Juventus.
He was part of a group of players likely to be among the substitutes on Wednesday, taking part in a set-piece session led by new coach Austin MacPhee, who has joined from Aston Villa.
He then took part in a second drill led by Alonso as one of two left-sided wingers working on attacking patterns of play.
Credit: bbc
