His first words after leaving Chelsea landed on relief and reunion.

“It’s a great feeling. I can’t wait to start training and playing for the club, and I’m so excited to be reunited with Roberto De Zerbi,” Mudryk said in the statement confirming his loan.

The 25-year-old had not played a competitive minute since November 2024. That break was forced by a failed drug test showing a low concentration of meldonium, which brought a four-year ban. The Football Association cleared him to play again in late July, after an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency led to the withdrawal of an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, reported AFP.

The De Zerbi pull

The pull for Mudryk was the man now in the Spurs dugout. Roberto De Zerbi, who took over as Tottenham manager in March, worked with the winger at Shakhtar Donetsk before Mudryk’s £62m move to Chelsea in January 2023.

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De Zerbi’s response leaned on familiarity.

“Having worked with Misha earlier in his career, I know exactly what he can bring to our team. He has the quality to change a game with his speed and ability in one-vs-one situations, and is an exciting, attacking talent,” De Zerbi said.

“I will demand a lot from Misha and it is our job to help him find the best version of himself. If we do that then he can become a very important player for us.”

Mudryk, who takes the number 27 shirt, said his game has not changed in the time away.

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“I’m a player who brings speed and creativity, and I want to help in both the offensive and defensive areas. I want to make the fans excited,” he said.

A £75m question for next summer

Tottenham’s exposure is capped for now. Spurs have Mudryk on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent for around £75m, according to Goal. The clause gives the winger a full season to prove he can still be the player Chelsea signed in 2023 before Tottenham decides whether to trigger it.

Tottenham also completed a permanent signing of defender Tosin Adarabioyo from Chelsea on the same day, Sky Sports reported.

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