Mudryk trained like a 'freak' - Tosin

Mudryk has not played a competitive match since November 2024 [Getty Images] Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo says Mykhailo Mudryk trained like a "freak" to survive his 20-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. The Ukraine international, 25, returned to make a 12-minute cameo appearance in the 1-0 defeat to Juventus at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Wednesday. "Misha is a freak," Tosin said. "His work rate is unbelievable. There is no doubt he has been working hard throughout this whole time." Mudryk had only been cleared to return to football by the Football Association and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Friday. He travelled over the weekend and had just two first-team training sessions, having used a private coach and worked alone for well over a year. Tosin added: "I know he has been doing sessions away. I have seen him. I know the guys he has been working with, so it's good. "Misha is my guy. I have kept in contact with him throughout and it is really nice to have him back. I am really happy for him. "You can see he is just really happy to be around and back in the environment. It is obviously going to take him some time, but we are all here to support him." Tosin, now 28, had consistently been Chelsea's oldest player since joining on a free transfer from Fulham in 2024. With Danny Welbeck, 35, and Jordan Henderson, 36, having now arrived from Brighton and Brentford respectively, he is no longer the oldest player at Stamford Bridge. "No, thank God. We have Welbeck now," he joked. "They are still uncles too. They are still young in life, so it's fine. It was pretty funny being the oldest in the squad when I was 26, 27 and 28. "I have known Danny for a long time, just from growing up in Manchester. We have all seen that he scores goals. Him and Jordan will add experience."