Mykhailo Mudryk Shakes Off 'Loner' Label and Transforms into Team Player After Chelsea Comeback

MYKHAILO MUDRYK has transformed himself since being back at Chelsea as a man free to play professional football once more.

The Ukrainian, according to sources speaking to The Athletic “was previously regarded as a bit of a loner and sullen” at , but things have changed for him now.

Mykhailo Mudryk’s return was loved by fans, players and staff alike Credit: Getty Mudryk has changed plenty since his November 2024 suspension in terms of looks and character Credit: AP

It might well be a measure of just how much he was missed by fans, staff, and his teammates alike during his hellish ban.

It may also be a reflection of him and having so much time to grow as a person.

He joined the tour in Hong Kong, where a ticket to their open training at the Kai Tak Stadium cost more than £28 – but with more than 15,000 people attending, Mudryk got the loudest cheer.

It seems that absence has indeed made the heart grow fonder when it comes to Chelsea fans adulation of their tricky winger.

He was, and fans had hardly seen him until he rocked up in Hong Kong, certainly not in a professional capacity at least.

He did, after playing a part in the club’s eventual victory in that competition, but he didn’t travel with the team and was left to his own devices, despite sporting the club’s training kit.

On social media he would intermittently engage with fans, promising his eventual return and keeping supporters up to date with his individual training sessions in Uxbridge.

He was , which looks as though it has paid off.

Mudryk made a near-instant impact in his return to football on the tour, bagging an assist in his limited minutes in yesterday’s game against Johor Darul Ta’zim to level the scoring late on.

Last season, fans wished for Mudryk’s return.

spent most of the season missing through injury, which led to Alejandro Garnacho featuring most often from the left side, with Pedro Neto featuring there occasionally too.

Neither of them were particularly effective, with fans begging for Mudryk’s return, even just for a bit of excitement and directness, which he certainly brings to the table even if he too has lacked in terms of end product.

Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho both featured often on the left-wing for Chelsea last season Credit: Getty Morgan Rogers’ arrival could will make things a bit more difficult for Mudryk to return at Chelsea Credit: Getty

And it wasn’t just the fans who were excited to have Mudryk back, but the players too.

So much so that selflessly agreed to be substituted for the winger to make his return in the friendly against despite having come on as a substitute himself – Mudryk was clapped onto the pitch by his teammates, staff, and of course the fans.

It remains to be seen if the ‘new’ Mudryk can finally live up to his £80million price tag now that he is free to play once more.

Multiple Premier League clubs have shown an interest in him,, should he leave Chelsea this season, but he will surely still back himself to be a top PL winger.

Chelsea play Real Sociedad in their final pre-season match on Saturday, with Mudryk set to receive a very warm welcome back to Stamford Bridge if he does feature.