Chelsea falls 1-0 to Juventus as Mudryk returns from ban in Hong Kong
On Wednesday, August 4, 2026, Chelsea lost 1-0 to Juventus in a preseason match at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium. The result marked the Blues's third preseason game. Mykhailo Mudryk made his eagerly anticipated return after a 20-month anti-doping suspension that was lifted last week. He came on for Nicolas Jackson late in the second half, playing the 10-15 minutes Xabi Alonso had planned. Alonso said he was "very happy for him" and called it an emotional moment for the club to see Mudryk back on the pitch.
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill both reported discomfort but not injuries; Alonso rested them to avoid risks, noting they trained separately and hope to be ready for Saturday's match. Juventus took the lead through Edon Zhegrova's strike from distance that hit the top corner. Chelsea limited Juventus to just one other shot on target but could not find an equalizer.
For Nigerian Chelsea fans, Mudryk's return signals his readiness and could influence his role in the upcoming season, while the fitness updates on Palmer and Colwill affect squad depth. Will Mudryk win back a starting spot, or will he need to fight for minutes? How should supporters adjust expectations for Chelsea's campaign based on these preseason results?