Mykhailo Mudryk is facing the possibility of a four-year ban after being formally charged with doping violations by the Football Association (FA). The Chelsea winger has been under provisional suspension since late last year after testing positive for a banned substance, identified as meldonium, in his A sample.
The situation has left both the player and club in a state of limbo for several months, as the outcome of the B sample and subsequent investigation unfolded. Meldonium, a performance-enhancing substance, is listed as prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency and has been involved in several high-profile doping cases in recent years.
According to the FA’s anti-doping regulations, a four-year ban is within the scope of punishment for cases involving the presence or use of such substances. The charge relates to potential breaches of Regulations 3 and 4, which concern both the detection and use of prohibited substances.
Since being suspended, Mudryk has been unable to participate in training or matchday activities at Chelsea’s Cobham base. The ban not only disrupted his development and integration into the team but also left Chelsea without one of their key attacking options. The Ukrainian international, who joined the club in January 2023 for a fee rising to £62 million, has had a turbulent time in England, struggling to cement a regular starting spot despite high expectations following his transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Mudryk has denied knowingly taking any banned substances. In a public statement shortly after his suspension was announced, he expressed shock at the findings and insisted he had not broken any rules. He also revealed he was working with his legal team to understand how the substance could have entered his system. The winger has since enlisted the services of Morgan Sports Law, a firm known for handling high-profile doping cases, including that of Paul Pogba, whose initial four-year ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Despite his suspension, Mudryk made headlines last month when he travelled independently to Wroclaw to attend Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis. Although he was barred from participating in official club duties, he joined post-match celebrations with teammates. His squad number, 10, has since been reassigned to Cole Palmer, indicating a potential shift in Chelsea’s long-term plans.
With Mudryk unavailable and his future uncertain, Chelsea have intensified their search for a replacement. The club is prioritising the acquisition of Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, a promising right-footed winger, to fill the void on the left flank. The situation underscores the impact of the suspension not only on Mudryk’s career but also on Chelsea’s squad dynamics and summer transfer strategy.
