Xabi Alonso Says No Decision Made On Mykhailo Mudryk's Chelsea Future

Xabi Alonso during training 

Chelsea Boss Alonso confirms Mudryk can play in pre-season after doping ban.

Xabi Alonso opens door for Mudryk return after CAS appeal win...

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso said Tuesday that no call has been made yet on Mykhailo Mudryk’s future, but confirmed the winger could feature in pre-season after coming back from a doping ban.

The Ukraine international was handed a four-year suspension following a failed drug test in 2024. He successfully appealed and was cleared on Friday to resume his career.

Mudryk, 25, hasn’t played since November 2024. Reports have linked Chelsea with either a loan to get him minutes or a possible permanent sale.

Speaking in Hong Kong on Tuesday before Chelsea’s friendly against Juventus, Alonso was asked about a loan or transfer. 

He said: “No decision made.”

“Everything has happened so quick, so the main thing is that we were thinking about the person, to feel that he was back in the group dynamic, part of the team.

“And we need to assess, but for sure... it is a special case with him, so we need to be sensitive.”

Mudryk was banned after testing positive for a trace amount of meldonium, a prohibited substance.

He took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In the meantime, the rules were updated  under the current regulations, the same test result would not have led to charges.

When asked if Mudryk could feature in Wednesday’s match vs Juventus, Alonso said yes.

Alonso also said he was “looking forward to welcoming” Jordan Henderson after the England midfielder completed his move from Premier League side Brentford on Monday.

But, Alonso added: “we need to assess, because of the injury he had, how long it will take to be fit.”

Let’s go. 😁 pic.twitter.com/kUDGthgxtO

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 3, 2026

Henderson fractured his arm in a freak incident while celebrating England’s victory over Mexico at the World Cup.

The 36-year-old links up with fellow England veteran Danny Welbeck, 35, at Stamford Bridge. It marks a shift for Chelsea, who have largely focused on signing younger players to long-term deals in recent years.

So far on their pre-season tour, Chelsea have played two games in Australia - a chaotic 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers and a 2-1 loss to London rivals Tottenham.