Chelsea head coach Habi Alonso has commented on Mykhailo Mudryk's return to the pitch. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The Ukrainian footballer played for the London club for the first time since November 2024. He came on as a substitute in the friendly match against Juventus, which ended in a 0:1 defeat for the English side.
Mudryk appeared on the field in the 82nd minute. According to Alonso, he had warned the 25-year-old winger before the game that he planned to give him about 10–15 minutes.
"Of course, I am very happy for him. It was very emotional for everyone at the club to see his return. Especially when I told him before the match that I planned to give him 10-15 minutes. He was delighted," Alonso was quoted as saying by football.london.
The Spanish specialist noted that the return to the pitch was an important moment for both the player and the whole team.
"After such a long period, being back on the pitch is a great feeling for him. And for all of us it was also very pleasant," the coach added.
Mudryk last played for Chelsea in November 2024 – in the Conference League match against Heidenheim. In December of that year, the footballer was temporarily suspended after a positive doping test. Later he received a four-year disqualification. However, at the end of July this year, the anti-doping proceedings were completed, after which the Ukrainian was granted the right to immediately return to competition.
Ahead of the match with Juventus, Alonso admitted that the final decision on Mudryk's future at Chelsea has not yet been made. According to the coach, the footballer has been training individually for a long time, so the club intends to gradually bring him back to full work with the team.
In the game against the Turin side, Mudryk took a position on the left flank of the attack. After his appearance, former Kairat player Dastan Satpayev, who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute, moved closer to the center. Juventus's only goal was scored by Edon Zhegrova in the 68th minute.
Chelsea's next pre-season tour match will be held on August 8 in Jakarta against Milan.