Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed his “complete shock” after testing positive for a banned substance during a routine drugs test.
The Football Association (FA) notified Chelsea of the positive result, and Mudryk has been provisionally suspended while investigations are ongoing. The 22-year-old Ukraine international denies any wrongdoing and insists he has never knowingly consumed a prohibited substance.
“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules,” Mudryk shared in a statement on Instagram. “I am working closely with my team to understand how this could have happened. I know I haven’t done anything wrong and hope to return to the pitch soon.”
Chelsea have confirmed their commitment to identifying the cause of the failed test. Meanwhile, under FA rules, players can face provisional suspensions following positive drug tests, with bans of up to four years under FIFA guidelines for intentional doping.
Mudryk last appeared for Chelsea on 28 November but has missed the team’s subsequent five matches. Initially, head coach Enzo Maresca attributed the winger’s absence to illness. He was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s win over Aston Villa on 1 December.
Mudryk joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £89m but has struggled to find consistency at Stamford Bridge. In 73 appearances, he has managed just 10 goals.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is expected to offer support to the winger as the FA continues its investigation.
Positive Test Threatens Mudryk’s Recovery at Chelsea
Mykhailo Mudryk was already facing challenges at Chelsea, and the positive drugs test has now further jeopardized any progress he has been trying to make under Enzo Maresca.
Since his high-profile move from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a fee of up to £89m, Mudryk has struggled to adapt to life at Chelsea. The Ukraine international has faced difficulties stemming from his hefty price tag, limited English fluency, introverted personality, and constant managerial changes, having worked under Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Mauricio Pochettino, and now Enzo Maresca.
While former head coach Pochettino acknowledged that Mudryk needed time to adapt, Maresca has been more critical, pointing to Mudryk’s challenges in understanding tactical instructions, arriving in the right positions, and improving his overall quality. These issues have contributed to his slow progression compared to teammates.
It took Mudryk 24 matches to score his first Chelsea goal. Before netting against FC Noah in November, he endured another five-month goal drought. Despite being given opportunities in cup competitions, he has struggled to adapt to the intensity, culture, and expectations of the Premier League.
The positive test now casts further uncertainty over his Chelsea career, threatening the progress he has been trying to make under Maresca.
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