Hong Kong: Mykhailo Mudryk returns for Chelsea in Juventus fixture

By Amelia Stockwell — 5 August 2026 — 3 min read

Chelsea’s Pre-Season Fixture in Hong Kong

Chelsea continued their summer tour with a fixture against Juventus at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. This match marked the third game of their trip and their first in Asia. The game was available for live viewing on CFC+.

The starting lineup for Chelsea featured several notable players, including maiden starts for summer arrivals Geovany Quenda and Danny Welbeck. Robert Sanchez returned in goal after missing the previous match against Tottenham Hotspur. He was protected by a defensive line consisting of Marco Palestra, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Jorrel Hato.

In midfield, Moises Caicedo made his first pre-season appearance and captained the team, playing alongside Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli. The attacking roles were filled by Jamie Gittens, who has been noted for his pre-season performances, and Quenda on the flanks, with Joao Pedro and Welbeck leading the attack.

Substitutes and Player Returns

Among the substitutes, Mykhailo Mudryk was included for the first time during the tour, alongside players such as Mike Penders, Gabriel Slonina, Pedro Neto, and Nicolas Jackson. Other substitutes included Sharman-Lowe, Curd, Acheampong, Subuloye, Sarr, Diakite, Anselmino, Lavia, Essugo, Watson, Walsh, Kellyman, Estevao Willian, Kavuma-McQueen, and Satpayev.

The inclusion of Mudryk on the substitute bench marked his return to the squad for the pre-season tour. His presence provided an additional option for the team in the fixture against the Serie A giants.

Juventus’ Preparations and Expectations

Ahead of the match, Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti and player Manuel Locatelli addressed the press. Locatelli expressed the team’s readiness, stating they felt good and were prepared for what he anticipated would be a serious test. He highlighted the unity within the group and the positive impact of new players, noting their ability to elevate the team’s overall level. Locatelli also spoke about the responsibility and privilege of wearing the captain’s armband for Juventus.

Locatelli reflected on the previous season, acknowledging disappointment over not achieving set goals and the need to remember that in every training session. He emphasised the importance of turning this awareness into motivation to improve, focusing on hard work and taking each game as it comes. He also mentioned the team’s disappointment about missing out on the Champions League but stressed the importance of the Europa League as a competition.

Coach Spalletti discussed his philosophy, emphasising collective attitude and team spirit over tactics alone. He described a game as an empty box to be filled with various elements, highlighting that focusing on just one aspect would not be sufficient. Spalletti stressed the importance of all 11 players contributing to the team’s performance.

Spalletti aimed to build on the positive aspects shown in the previous season, where the team demonstrated their capability to play effective and modern football. He outlined the new project’s ambition to continuously add improvements and eliminate periods of inconsistency that previously cost them results. He anticipated a tough challenge from Chelsea, recognising them as a top team with a talented coach and a strong squad. Spalletti concluded by stating that the team needed to start strong and measure up against Europe’s best sides, as the season was approaching rapidly.

Source: chelseafc.com