Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says he is “very happy” that Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to resume playing after almost two years out following a positive doping test.
The Ukrainian winger was given permission to return to action immediately on Friday after the English FA concluded his disciplinary proceedings in agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Mudryk, who last played for Chelsea in November 2024, is expected to join Alonso’s squad in Hong Kong for the next stage of the club’s pre-season tour.
Alonso was speaking after Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney on Saturday, in front of 80,363 spectators.
“I am very happy for him, for me also but mostly for him,” the Spaniard told reporters.
“We want him to feel part of the team because he’s been training on his own for so long. We have to see (about his future) because he’s not been playing for a long time.
“To be honest, we were not expecting to have this great news.”
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi, who coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk before the winger moved to Chelsea, also expressed his pleasure at the decision.
“He’s a lovely guy and a great player,” he said. “I hope he can show that in this coming season after all his suffering over the past two years.”
Mudryk’s return was one of the positives for Chelsea on a night when their pre-season preparations ended in defeat. Tottenham secured victory in the final minute after Chelsea had played much of the second half with 10 men.
Sandro Tonali, Tottenham’s major signing, opened the scoring after 17 minutes. Chelsea responded four minutes later when Brazilian teenager Estevao headed in an equaliser.
Tottenham’s Kevin Danso, introduced at half-time, was sent off only three minutes after coming on. He pulled down Joao Pedro and was dismissed for denying the Chelsea striker a goalscoring opportunity.
Despite being reduced to 10 players, Tottenham remained in contention thanks to goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who produced several important saves.
Richarlison then settled the match in the closing minute, tapping in after Jamie Donley’s effort rebounded off the post.
“We wanted to win, to lose is not something we want to do,” Alonso said.
De Zerbi said the result carried significance for Tottenham even though the match was a friendly. He believes the late win could provide encouragement after the club’s disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
Both clubs also received positive news away from the pitch on Friday. Alonso welcomed Chelsea’s successful appeal against a suspended points deduction imposed for breaches of the English FA’s transfer regulations.
“Any issue that is sorted is a good thing,” he said. “It can affect the team so I’m happy.”
Chelsea will now continue their pre-season tour in Hong Kong, where Mudryk is set to link up with the squad for the first time since being cleared to play.
