Chelsea winger Mikhail Mudrik has spoken to the club's press team for the first time since returning to the squad.
The Ukrainian has served an 18-month doping ban and has expressed his delight at being back.
“Of course, I am very happy. It's been a long time, so returning to the same training ground is truly a joyous moment for me,” said Mudrik regarding his comeback.
“I feel good; I feel great. I’m thankful to be back on the pitch. It was so nice to see everyone again. I received a warm welcome,” the player added.
“I missed a lot from this process, the training, especially the games, the competition for victory, and my constant thirst for more,” the winger noted.
“I would say it felt like an 18-month pre-season. I trained hard throughout, never gave up, and just tried to work my socks off,” he continued.
“I was working six days a week with the right recovery, a proper sleep schedule, and nutrition. Everything was the same, just with two training sessions a day,” Mikhail explained.
“The goal was to come back and show myself again in the football world. That was my mission, and I knew what I needed to do. Only through hard work can you achieve something,” the footballer concluded.
Mudrik initially faced a four-year ban but successfully appealed this summer, allowing him to rejoin Chelsea’s pre-season tour.
It remains uncertain whether he will stay at Stamford Bridge for the upcoming season or if he will be sent out on loan to gain regular playing time.
