Benoît Badiashile Nears Chelsea Exit as Mudryk Returns to First-Team Squad

Benoît Badiashile is on the verge of leaving Chelsea, with Napoli making significant progress in negotiations to sign the French defender.

The Serie A champions are now close to reaching an agreement with Chelsea on a loan deal that includes an option to buy. Juventus remain interested in the centre-back, but Napoli are currently leading the race to secure his signature.

The latest development comes after Softfootball revealed that Mykhaylo Mudryk is travelling to Hong Kong to rejoin Chelsea’s pre-season squad, making him immediately available to manager Xabi Alonso following the conclusion of his long-running doping case.

Mykhaylo Mudryk of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Panathinaikos FC and Chelsea FC at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens Spyridon Louis or OAKA on October 24, 2024 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) — Mykhaylo Mudryk of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Panathinaikos FC and Chelsea FC at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens Spyridon Louis or OAKA on October 24, 2024 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

The Ukraine international had been sidelined since November 2024 after receiving a provisional suspension for testing positive for meldonium. The Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have now concluded the case, accepting a suspension equivalent to the period he has already served.

With the suspension officially over, Mudryk is set to return to Chelsea’s first-team environment for the first time in almost two years, providing Alonso with another attacking option ahead of the new season.