In the world of English football, one of the most discussed topics in recent days has emerged: the return of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk. Following the cancellation of his suspension related to a doping scandal, the 25-year-old footballer is ready to step onto the pitch again. The event has sparked a strong reaction among coaches, particularly from Roberto De Zerbi, the head coach of 'Tottenham', who previously worked with Mudryk at Donetsk 'Shakhtar'.
'He is like a son to me'
The Italian specialist did not hide his emotions. De Zerbi admitted that he maintained constant contact with the Ukrainian throughout the period of his suspension. For the coach, this is not just a professional story, but a personal attachment. In an interview with the English publication football.london, he called Mudryk an 'excellent guy' and a top-level player.
'I hope he can show everything for which he suffered over the last two seasons,' De Zerbi expressed his hope. He is confident that the winger is capable of unleashing accumulated energy and fully realizing his potential, which was blocked for many months.
Humor on the edge of risk
Despite the warm words, the coach added a touch of irony, which, however, could become a reality in the near future. De Zerbi smiled and noted that he would not want to see such an emotional outburst from his former charge in head-to-head matches against his current club — 'Tottenham'. It is a joke, but it highlights how highly the Italian rates Mudryk's abilities.
The path to 'Chelsea': Hong Kong and the decision on the future
The winger's fate now lies in the hands of the coaching staff of London's 'Chelsea'. According to insider Fabrizio Romano, Mudryk is heading to Hong Kong, where he will join the team's pre-season training camp under the leadership of Xabi Alonso. This will be a decisive stage for the footballer.
The 'Blues' specialists will conduct a thorough assessment of his playing and physical condition. It is based on the results of these tests that a final decision will be made: whether to keep the Ukrainian in the main squad or send him on loan to gain practice. The player's contract with the London club runs until the summer of 2031, giving the club a wide range of maneuvering options.
The Meldonium story
Recall that Mudryk was out of football since December 2024 due to a positive doping test for Meldonium. However, a few days ago, all charges against him were dropped due to changes in anti-doping rules. This legal decision opened the way back to big sports for him.
In the era of De Zerbi at 'Shakhtar' (incomplete 2021/22 season), Mudryk already showed what he was capable of: 19 matches, 2 goals and 9 assists. Now the entire football world is waiting to see if he can repeat these successes in England.
