Richarlison reacts as Chelsea star Mykhaylo Mudryk returns from doping ban

Tottenham forward Richarlison was among the stars to react as Mykhaylo Mudryk celebrated the end of an almost two year absence from football due to a doping ban.

The Chelsea winger was given a four-year ban in November 2024 after being found to have used banned substance meldonium.

The 25-year-old had been appealing the ban but has now accepted the breaking of the rules and has settled a ban with the FA equal to the time he has already spent away from football.

Mudryk can now return to competition immediately and will meet up with Xabi Alonso's Chelsea squad for pre-season.

The forward joined the Blues from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 in a deal potentially worth up to £89million, signing an eight-year contract.

Mudryk scored 10 goals in 73 games for Chelsea before he was banned, and will hope to quickly get back up to speed.

Mykhaylo Mudryk shares Instagram message

Chelsea fans will be eagerly awaiting the return of Mudryk on the pitch in the coming days.

It will take some time for the winger to get back to match fitness, but he has routinely shared clips of him performing his own training drills over the last two years with his return always planned for.

The Ukraine international will return to a very different situation at Chelsea to the one in place when he was banned.

Enzo Maresca had only been months into his appointment at the time, and the likes of Jadon Sancho and Joao Felix were at the club.

Mudryk returns with Alonso having just been appointed, and with a real opportunity for him on the left after the departure of Alejandro Garnacho.

The 25-year-old shared a message to Instagram after news of his imminent return to football emerged.

"Thank you to everyone who continued to believe in me. I look forward to the next chapter of my career," he wrote. Richarlison, among others, liked the post.

Who else reacted to Mudryk's post?

Among the others to react to Mudryk's post were Marc Guiu, who commented: "Yes Mishaa".

Axel Disasi also liked the post, along with Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez and Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala.

Mudryk's Ukraine teammate, Vitalii Mykolenko was also among those to like the message.

The Chelsea man will return to training immediately with his return to the pitch now just a matter of time.