Mykhailo Mudryk makes first Chelsea appearance since doping ban lifted

Mykhailo Mudryk has made his first Chelsea appearance in 20 months, coming on as a substitute in Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Juventus.Mudryk last played a competitive game in November 2024, when he scored in a Conference League win over Heidenheim.Days later the Ukraine international was suspended for testing positive for banned substance meldonium.A months-long battle to clear his name followed, before the 25-year-old was last week cleared to play again by the Football Association.Mudryk subsequently flew out to Hong Kong to join the rest of the Chelsea on their tour of Asia, along with new signing Danny Welbeck, who started against Juve.Mykhailo MudrykGettyMudryk was introduced in the 82nd minute, wearing the no43 shirt number. He replaced Nicolas Jackson, who had come on at half-time and impressed.Read MoreIt remains to be seen if Mudryk has a role at Chelsea this season, amid suggestions the club will look at loan the player out.Asked about Mudryk’s future last week, manager Xabi Alonso said: "No decision has been made. Everything has happened so quick, so the main thing is thinking about the person, to feel that he was back in the group dynamic, part of a team, and we need to assess [how he is doing]."But for sure, he's a special player. It's a special case with him, so we need to be sensitive."Mudryk, who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a deal worth up to £89million, has scored 10 goals in 73 appearances for Chelsea. He still has five years to run on his contract.