Chelsea birthday post fuels talk of Mykhailo Mudryk comeback

Goal reports that Chelsea have fuelled speculation about Mykhailo Mudryk's reintegration after the club publicly celebrated the winger's 25th birthday on social media.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk forward has not featured since late 2024 after receiving a provisional suspension from the Football Association following a positive test for a banned substance. The club's birthday acknowledgement — coupled with reports that his ban could be lifted as early as mid-January and the departure of Enzo Maresca with Liam Rosenior set to take the reins — has been interpreted by fans as a sign the slate could be wiped clean and that the player might be offered a lifeline in the second half of the campaign.

The post also highlighted a contrast with Raheem Sterling, whose 31st birthday on December 8 passed without any mention on Chelsea's official channels after he was exiled from the first-team and trained with the so‑called "bomb squad," a snub widely seen as signalling an intention to offload his wages. The club's public support for Mudryk has been read as protection of his market value or a signal that he is not being forced out, while silence around Sterling suggests the hierarchy is resigned to a separation; the timing coincides with Rosenior's imminent arrival from Strasbourg and the open transfer window, the outlet notes.

Key Topics

Sports, Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Chelsea, Liam Rosenior, Enzo Maresca