Chelsea's Pre-Season Twist: Palmer and Colwill Sidelined, Mudryk Returns

Chelsea’s pre-season in Asia took an unexpected turn in Hong Kong, where the headlines were written by players who didn’t start – and one who finally could.

Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, two of Xabi Alonso’s nailed-on starters, were both left out of the matchday squad to face Juventus on Wednesday, withdrawn as a precaution after picking up minor knocks during an intensive tour schedule. Medical staff advised against any risk, and Alonso listened.

For Palmer, the timing cuts sharply against the rhythm he has been building since landing at Stamford Bridge. The 24-year-old has been electric in the Sydney Super Cup, coming off the bench to create an assist in a wild 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, then starting in the narrow 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.

“I’m disappointed not to play due to a slight issue, but I love Hong Kong. Amazing support,” he said pitchside before kick-off, a frustrated spectator instead of Chelsea’s creative metronome.

With Palmer and Colwill both ruled out, Alonso had to rip up his initial plan.

Alonso Shuffles the Deck

At the back, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo were thrown together in central defence, a pairing tasked with filling the void left by Colwill’s absence against the Italian giants. It was a test of chemistry as much as quality, the kind of improvised partnership pre-season often demands.

Higher up the pitch, the tactical reshuffle continued. Joao Pedro stepped into a central attacking role, asked to shoulder Palmer’s creative burden between the lines. That adjustment opened a door: summer signing Danny Welbeck was handed his Chelsea debut, a notable early show of faith from Alonso.

Around them, the XI carried a deliberate blend of hardened experience and raw potential. Marco Palestra and Jorrel Hato kept their places at full-back, staking claims with every minute on the pitch.

The most intriguing selection sat in the middle of the park. Moises Caicedo, the club’s midfield anchor, lined up alongside 16-year-old academy prospect Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, who earned his first start for the Blues. A teenager thrown into a high-profile friendly against Juventus – a glimpse of the pathway Alonso is willing to offer if the talent justifies the risk.

Mudryk Back in Blue

While Palmer and Colwill watched from the sidelines, another storyline crackled into life on the Chelsea bench.

Mykhailo Mudryk, absent from competitive action for the club since November 2024, finally pulled a shirt back on. The Ukrainian winger had been caught in the middle of a doping dispute, serving a provisional suspension and staring at a four-year ban before the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the punishment and cleared him to play.

His presence among the substitutes felt significant. Not just a name on a teamsheet, but a player trying to reclaim his career.

Alonso cut through the emotion with a calm, measured update.

“We trained yesterday. He came directly from the airport to the hotel. So, yesterday was more about the feelings, more about the emotions, to be back with the players to assess the fitness level. But yes, he could play, maybe 90 minutes too early, but he can be selected. He’s selected, so he can play. We are thrilled that Misha could be with us,” the Chelsea head coach said.

Mudryk’s reinstatement doesn’t end the uncertainty around his future. The winger, a £62 million investment, remains under internal review as the club weighs up the best path forward. Several Premier League sides are circling, exploring the possibility of a loan move, and his minutes on this tour may double as an audition – for Chelsea, and for would-be suitors.

A Squad in Motion

Off the pitch, the club’s summer churn shows no sign of slowing. Chelsea are closing in on an 11th signing of the window, a number that underlines just how aggressively the squad is being reshaped. Players are coming in, others edging towards the exit, and Alonso is trying to stitch it all into a coherent team on the fly.

That makes the minor issues to Palmer and Colwill more than a footnote. With the season opener looming, Chelsea’s staff are walking a tightrope: push hard enough in pre-season to build sharpness, but not so hard that the core group limps into August.

For Palmer and Colwill, the message is clear. Rest now, recover quickly, and be ready when the real games start. Chelsea’s summer is moving fast. They cannot afford to begin the campaign without two of their most important pieces.