Where is Mykhailo Mudryk? The Chelsea winger’s future has been plunged into doubt after he was charged with a doping offence by the Football Association late last year. Nine months on, Mudryk is still banned from all forms of football and awaiting the outcome of a case that could see him sidelined for up to four years.
The 24-year-old has not featured for the Blues since late November 2024, when a routine urine test returned an adverse finding for meldonium. The substance, known to increase stamina and respiratory capacity, was flagged while Mudryk was on international duty with Ukraine. According to BBC Sport, it remains unclear how he ingested it, and he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Mudryk’s Chelsea career, already under scrutiny given his £61m arrival in January 2023, now hangs in the balance. The winger had been tipped to flourish under Enzo Maresca, but instead he finds himself in limbo, locked out of Cobham and forced to train privately in London with his own coach. His only public football-related appearance this year came in May, when he attended Chelsea’s Conference League final win over Real Betis in a private capacity.
Mudryk backed despite looming ban
The winger’s case has been ongoing for more than nine months, led by specialist firm Morgan Sports Law. Reports suggest he even underwent an unofficial lie detector test earlier this year, which he passed, though such measures hold no legal weight.
“When we speak about Mudryk, we don’t think about the money, we speak about the human being. We feel so sorry for him. We know he is 100% innocent – he will show that. We support him like an ex-player, a human being, and a friend.” — Dario Srna, Shakhtar sporting director
Shakhtar Donetsk, his former club, would reportedly lose around £30m in add-ons should Mudryk’s career stall, but sporting director Dario Srna has insisted financial concerns are secondary to Mudryk’s wellbeing.
Mykhailo Mudryk Chelsea stats so far
| Stat (2022/26) | Mykhailo Mudryk |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 73 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 11 |
| Minutes Played | 3612 |
source: sofascore match data – 16 September 2025
Mudryk had a promising start and debut against Liverpool, but he could never pay Chelsea back with his Shakhtar form. Mudryk only scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists in 73 matches for Chelsea.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William argues that Mudryk’s case highlights the growing complexity of doping regulations in football:
“Players are increasingly caught out by strict liability rules — even unintentional ingestion can carry severe consequences. Mudryk’s case is unusual given his age, profile, and the scale of Chelsea’s investment. A four-year ban would effectively derail his career, but even a shorter suspension leaves a cloud over his reputation.”
He added: “For Chelsea, it creates a difficult situation. They cannot rely on Mudryk this season, and planning for the future becomes difficult when such uncertainty surrounds one of their big-money signings.”
Key Insights
- Mudryk has been suspended since December 2024 for a positive meldonium test.
- He trains privately in London and cannot use Chelsea’s facilities.
- Shakhtar director Dario Srna insists he is “100% innocent.”
- A four-year ban looms, though his legal team continue to fight the charge.
- Chelsea could lose a £61m investment if he fails to return to play.
What’s Next for Mudryk and Chelsea?
Mudryk’s legal team remain in dialogue with the FA and anti-doping authorities. Precedent cases, including Paul Pogba’s 18-month suspension, suggest any resolution could take time. Until then, Mudryk is forced to watch from the sidelines, with his club and national team careers on hold.
For Chelsea, the winger’s absence may accelerate investment in wide areas during upcoming transfer windows. The Blues are unlikely to make long-term plans around a player facing such uncertainty, though they continue to support him publicly.
👉 Do you believe Mykhailo Mudryk will be cleared to return — or is this the end of his Chelsea career before it ever truly started?
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