BBC Sport journalist Nizar Kinsella reported from Hong Kong on the remarkable return of Ukrainian footballer Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea. The winger had been sidelined for 20 months due to a positive doping test.
Chelsea is currently in China preparing for the 2026/27 season, with Mudryk joining the squad on August 3.
When Mudryk’s image appeared on the big screen at the Kai Tak Stadium during Chelsea’s open training session ahead of their match against Juventus, the crowd greeted him with enthusiastic applause.
He then warmed up alongside his teammates to the iconic Elton John track “I’m Still Standing,” which played over the stadium speakers. Mudryk took part in various ball control drills with the team. When Chelsea split into two groups, he joined the one whose players will start Wednesday’s match on the bench.
This marks a remarkable turnaround for Mudryk, who had arrived just 36 hours earlier, stepping off the London-bound plane alongside goalkeepers Mike Penders and Gabriel Slonina, wingers Geovanni Kwenda and Pedro Neto, and new signing Danny Welbeck.
Sources close to Mudryk reveal he felt genuine excitement and relief upon returning to Chelsea’s dressing room, where he remains familiar with many of the players.
Mudryk trained on Monday, and before the session, the club released a video showing the Ukrainian pointing to the Chelsea badge, likely expressing gratitude for the support he received during his absence.
Based on the limited videos and photos released, Mudryk has been actively involved in training and already appears well integrated within the squad.
It is understood that Mudryk is very pleased with how he has been welcomed back at Chelsea, but much depends on his own efforts over the past 20 months. According to those close to him, he did everything possible to preserve his career, focusing on maintaining consistent and intense training throughout his time away from the club.
During his suspension, Mudryk hired a personal coach as well as goalkeepers and outfield players to train with at Hanecroft Stadium, the home ground of seventh-division side Axsbridge. His personal trainer also took him to a training camp in Austria for several weeks this summer, anticipating his imminent return to professional football.
However, the lifting of his suspension on July 31 came as a surprise to Mudryk, his representatives, and Chelsea.
The key question now is whether these training efforts will be enough to impress manager Xabi Alonso and, over time, prove that Mudryk can regain the form that once earned him the nickname “the Ukrainian Neymar,” Kinsella’s report concludes.
