Just as things began to look good for Chelsea FC, it has gone for the worst. Their No. 10 and star Ukrainian left winger Mykhailo Mudryk has allegedly failed a doping test, which would result in a heavy ban being imposed on him, forcing him out of football for years.
Although there are no official updates on this issue, it has been learned from various reports, including from big media outlets like One Football that he failed a doping test taken by the end of October.
There were two samples in that test Mykhailo Mudryk took, and reportedly “sample A” has been found containing a banned substance. From a Ukraine site “tribuna.com” it has been learned that “sample B” is set to be opened in the coming days.
It has also been speculated that the Chelsea FC and Ukraine national football team forward Mudryk might face a heavy ban, forcing him away from football for years if proven guilty. As per Apa, the young 23-year-old winger might have to stay away from football for up to four years if the “B” sample also tests positive for banned substances.
Mykhailo Mudryk’s take on the situation
As per media outlet The Telegraph, Mykhailo Mudryk has hired Morgan Sports Law, the same firm French midfielder Paul Pogba hired when he was charged with failing a doping test and serving a four-year suspension. The firm helped Pogba to return to the field way sooner, as the sentence was reduced from four years to only 18 months. Pogba is available to play again from March 2025.
The Chelsea player issued a statement on his social media stating, “I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance”
“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.”
Mudryk added, “I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can.”
Chelsea’s stance on Mykhailo Mudryk’s situation
No official update on the issue has been delivered yet, however, it can be clearly observed that Chelsea have kept Mudryk away from the squads ever since the allegations came up. The player last played for the former EPL winners on November 28 in a UEFA Conference League away game against 1. FC Heidenheim. Chelsea had won the match two goals to nil, and Mykhailo Mudryk scored one of those goals.
He was last included in a matchday squad on December 1. Since then he hasn’t been a part, with head coach Enzo Maresca saying he has been “ill” whenever asked for an update. These thin updates have aroused more doubts about the situation.
Mykhailo Mudryk performance while playing for Chelsea FC
Chelsea are the club that Mykhailo Mudryk has represented the most times in his senior career. He has played a total of 73 matches for the side, netting ten goals and assisting nine. The stats look pretty ordinary, and rather below par when looking at the heavy price tag of 70 million Euros the club paid as a transfer fee to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023.
Mudryk has a contract with Chelsea FC till 2031, so even if he is serving a ban of four years, he can still play for the club post-ban, provided the Blues keep him.
Possible Replacements for Mykhailo Mudryk ban at Chelsea FC
On loan player from Manchester United, Jadon Sancho looks like the natural replacement for Mykhailo Mudryk, as both are left-wingers with similar skill sets and stature.
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