Chelsea suffered a 1-0 defeat to Juventus in a pre-season friendly match held in Hong Kong, marking the return of Mykhailo Mudryk after a 20-month suspension. Mudryk, who rejoined the squad following a doping ban, made his first appearance in competitive action since 2024, playing the entire 90 minutes as the Blues fell to the Serie A side (vanguardngr.com).
The match saw Chelsea face several challenges, including injuries to key players. Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were absent due to injuries, adding to the team's difficulties ahead of the new season (metro.co.uk). Manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged the impact of Mudryk's return, calling it "emotional" and highlighting the significance of his comeback (vanguardngr.com).
Despite the loss, the game also saw a moment of tribute as Milan and Inter observed a minute’s silence for Franco Baresi before their own match ended in a 1-1 draw (theguardian.com). Mudryk’s performance, though not enough to change the outcome, signaled a potential turning point for Chelsea as they continue their preparations for the upcoming campaign (dailypost.ng).
Meanwhile, other transfers are in motion, with Trevoh Chalobah set to join Serie A side Como on a five-year deal, according to sources (espn.co.uk).
