Tottenham sign Chelsea's Mudryk on loan

"Having worked with Misha earlier in his career, I know exactly what he can bring to our team," said De Zerbi. "He has the quality to change a game with his speed and ability in one-vs-one situations, and is an exciting, attacking talent."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. I am very happy he chose to come here, and I cannot wait to work with him again."Chelsea had been in talks with Leeds and rejected at least one offer for Mudryk, but Spurs entered the race at a late stage after failing in attempts to sign Iliman Ndiaye, who has since joined Manchester City from Everton, and Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo.Mudryk took part in Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, where he made his return in a friendly against Juventus in Hong Kong.However, he was not included in Xabi Alonso's squad for the Premier League victories against Fulham and Brighton, or the Carabao Cup win against Luton.Mudryk scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists in 73 games in all competitions for Chelsea.Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar in 2023 for an initial £61m, having attracted interest from clubs across Europe including Arsenal.After impressing in the Champions League with Shakhtar in the first half of 2022-23, Mudryk needed time to adapt to a new country and league.He had to wait until October 2023 for his first Chelsea goal, and he ended his first full campaign at Stamford Bridge with seven goals and four assists.By the start of 2024-25 the manager who signed Mudryk, Graham Potter, had been succeeded first by Frank Lampard, then Mauricio Pochettino, and finally Enzo Maresca.Mudryk struggled for Premier League starts in the first months of Maresca's tenure, but was making an impact in the Uefa Conference League when he underwent an out-of-competition test on international duty with Ukraine in October 2024.Mudryk was provisionally suspended after returning an "adverse finding" for banned substance meldonium.He was subsequently given the maximum four-year ban by the FA but appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).However, he became free to return to competition "with immediate effect" on 31 July, 2026, after the FA said anti-doping disciplinary proceedings had been resolved and that Murdyk accepted breaking anti-doping rules, also agreeing to a suspension equal to the time already served.Mudryk, who has always maintained he had "never knowingly or intentionally" taken a banned substance, said he was "grateful" to be able to return to playing after "the most difficult period" of his career.He will now restart his career at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 11 miles north east of where it appeared to be falling apart.