Mykhailo Mudryk Returns to Stamford Bridge as Shakhtar Beat AEK Athens

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has returned to Stamford Bridge, watching from the stands as Shakhtar Donetsk defeated AEK Athens 3-1 in the Champions League.

The Ukrainian international attended Wednesday’s match alongside former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, who now serves as president of the Ukrainian Football Association.

Shakhtar are using Chelsea’s home ground for their European fixtures this season because of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The arrangement also gives the club access to a large Ukrainian community in London.

Why Shakhtar Donetsk are playing in London

Shakhtar have been unable to play at their Donbas Arena home in Donetsk since 2014. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the club has staged European home matches in several countries, including Poland, Germany and Slovenia.

The Ukrainian champions reportedly chose London to reduce travel demands during their Champions League campaign. Fulham and Brentford were also considered as possible venues.

A crowd of 29,144 watched Shakhtar recover from a goal behind to beat AEK Athens. The club hopes to attract an average of 30,000 spectators across its four matches at Stamford Bridge.

With a capacity of 40,044, the stadium will also host Shakhtar’s upcoming fixtures against Sporting, Fenerbahce and Real Madrid, according to the report.

Mudryk’s uncertain future at Chelsea

Mudryk has not featured in a competitive match for Chelsea for almost two years, according to the Evening Standard report.

The 25-year-old was reportedly cleared to resume playing after resolving his anti-doping disciplinary proceedings with the Football Association earlier in the summer.

He then made a surprise move to Tottenham on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day. The switch reunited him with Roberto De Zerbi, his former manager at Shakhtar Donetsk.

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However, Mudryk’s start at Tottenham has been disrupted by injury. He has been sidelined since early September after suffering an ankle ligament injury during training, shortly after making his debut as a substitute against Nottingham Forest.

Even if he recovers in time, the winger will be ineligible to face Chelsea when Tottenham visit Stamford Bridge next Saturday, the report stated.

Tottenham await Mudryk’s return

Mudryk’s return to Stamford Bridge comes at a time when he is trying to regain match fitness and establish himself at Tottenham.

His injury has limited his opportunity to make an impact in north London. A successful recovery will be important if he hopes to contribute during the remainder of his loan spell.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar’s use of Stamford Bridge offers the Ukrainian club a temporary home for its European campaign while the conflict continues to prevent a return to Donetsk.