A roar went up at Kai Tak Stadium when Mudryk’s image flashed on the giant screen during an open workout held by Chelsea ahead of their meeting with Juventus.
He joined the main group for warm-ups as Elton John’s I’m Still Standing blared over the PA system.
He took part in several possession drills with the squad, even jokingly grappling with defender Tosin Adarabioyo before one exercise.
To start, he worked with a cluster of players likely to be among Wednesday’s substitutes in a set-piece session run by new coach Austin MacPhee, who has arrived from Aston Villa.
He then moved into a second exercise overseen by Alonso, operating as one of two left-sided wingers rehearsing attacking patterns.
It marked a swift change in circumstances for Mudryk, who just 36 hours earlier had flown in from London with goalkeepers Mike Penders and Gabriel Slonina, wingers Geovany Quenda and Pedro Neto, and new signing Danny Welbeck, shortly after news of his renewed eligibility.
People close to Mudryk and figures at the club say he felt genuine excitement and relief about returning to the Chelsea dressing room, where many familiar faces remain.
He also trained on Monday, and before that session Chelsea filmed him pointing to the badge—seemingly a nod to the support he received during his absence.
From the brief clips and photos released, he appeared fully engaged in the drills and already looks comfortably reintegrated with the group.
Within the limits of his suspension, Chelsea monitored his physical and mental state, while several team-mates stayed in touch to offer encouragement.
Mudryk is said to be delighted with how he has been treated, though much credit also goes to the work he put in across those 20 months.
According to those around him, he did everything possible to protect his career, maintaining consistency and intensity throughout his time away from Chelsea.
He hired a personal coach and arranged sessions with goalkeepers and outfield players at Honeycroft Stadium, home of seventh-tier Uxbridge FC. This summer, his coach also took him to Austria for several weeks of training in anticipation of a potential return.
Even so, the timing of his clearance to play—following discussions between his legal team and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada)—surprised the player, his representatives and the club.
Behind the scenes, he has been seen playing table tennis with team-mates at the squad’s hotel, where fans have gathered hoping for his autograph.
Now the question is whether these sessions have done enough to impress Alonso and, over time, whether he can rediscover the level that once earned him the “Ukrainian Neymar” label.