Mykhailo Mudryk returns for Chelsea

Mykhailo Mudryk returned to action for Chelsea on August 5, coming off the bench in a 1-0 pre-season defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong, according to Chelsea’s match report and the Telegraph. The Ukraine winger replaced Nicolas Jackson late in the game and played the final eight minutes, Chelsea said. The appearance was his first for the club since November 2024, the club and the Telegraph reported. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said before the match that Mudryk had rejoined the squad after being cleared to return to football. ### How exactly did Mudryk return against Juventus? Chelsea said Mudryk entered in the closing stages as Alonso’s side chased an equaliser after Juventus had gone ahead. The club’s report said Chelsea “pushed hard” in the remaining minutes, with late chances for Estevao Willian and Romeo Lavia, but could not level the match. The Telegraph described the outing as Mudryk’s first Chelsea appearance since November 2024. (chelseafc.com) The Telegraph reported that Mudryk wore the No. 43 shirt in the friendly. Chelsea’s official report did not frame the cameo as a starting-point for selection decisions, but it confirmed he was back in match action after joining the squad on tour. ### Why had he been out since 2024? The Telegraph reported on July 31 that Mudryk had been cleared to return to competitive football with immediate effect after the anti-doping case against him was resolved. (chelseafc.com) That report said he had not played for Chelsea since November 2024 after testing positive for meldonium, a banned substance. (telegraph.co.uk) Chelsea said on August 1 that Alonso had confirmed Mudryk would join the squad during the club’s pre-season tour after being cleared to return. In that club update, Alonso said the winger had “the support of everyone,” according to Chelsea’s website. ### What did Alonso say around the comeback? (telegraph.co.uk) Chelsea’s website listed a post-match item headlined “Alonso on ‘emotional’ Mudryk return and Palmer and Colwill absences” after the Juventus game. The club’s homepage and men’s team news page both carried that item on August 6, indicating Alonso addressed Mudryk’s comeback directly after the match. Chelsea had already made clear before the match that Mudryk was back with the group. (chelseafc.com) Alonso’s pre-tour comments, published by the club on August 1, said the player would be part of the travelling squad after being cleared to return. ### Where does this leave Chelsea in pre-season? Chelsea lost 1-0 to Juventus on August 5, a result the Telegraph called the team’s second pre-season defeat. (chelseafc.com) The club report said Robert Sanchez returned from injury in goal, Moises Caicedo got his first pre-season minutes and captained the side, and summer signings were included in Alonso’s lineup. (chelseafc.com) Chelsea’s fixture list for 2026-27 says the club opens its Premier League season away to Fulham on Monday, August 24. A separate club “key dates” page says Chelsea’s next competitive match before that opener is the Community Shield on August 16. ### What are the next dates to watch? August 16 is Chelsea’s Community Shield date, according to the club’s season key-dates page. (telegraph.co.uk) August 24 is Chelsea’s first Premier League fixture, away at Fulham, according to Chelsea’s fixtures announcement and season calendar. (chelseafc.com 1) (chelseafc.com 2)