The Turbulent Journey of Mykhailo Mudryk: From Promising Talent to Uncertainty

Mykhailo Mudryk was acquired from under Arsenal’s radar three years ago, much to the chagrin of a demanding fanbase. However, North Londoners now view that incident as a pivotal moment, believing they dodged a bullet. The young winger had shown interest in a move to the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal first reaching out around October 2022. Ultimately, he joined Chelsea after the Gunners declined to match their rivals’ offer for the then-22-year-old, a decision that reportedly left him ‘devastated’, according to The Athletic.

Mudryk arrived at Chelsea amid the tumult of their 2022-23 campaign, a season characterized by three coaching changes and a dismal 12th-place finish in the Premier League. This chaotic environment hardly provided the ideal setting for his integration into English football, as he struggled for both form and opportunities under the management of Graham Potter and interim coach Frank Lampard.

His difficulties continued into the following season under Mauricio Pochettino and extended into 2024-25 with Enzo Maresca at the helm, exacerbating his challenges. Moreover, it has been over a year since Mudryk received a provisional suspension from the Football Association following a failed drugs test while on international duty with Ukraine in November 2024, coinciding with his last appearance for Chelsea in the Conference League against Heidenheim.

The then-23-year-old tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance associated with enhancing endurance and recovery in athletes. This substance gained notoriety in 2016 when tennis champion Maria Sharapova was banned for two years after a positive test, although her penalty was later reduced on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

At the time of his suspension, Mudryk claimed contamination during his time abroad, emphasizing that meldonium is not available in the UK. He expressed shock at the situation, stating in December 2024 that he had ‘never knowingly’ consumed any prohibited substances.

Mudryk reportedly passed an unverified lie detector test supporting his assertions. However, in June 2025, he was formally charged with violating the FA’s anti-doping rules, and the investigation remains ongoing, potentially leading to a four-year ban from football.

Since his provisional suspension, Mudryk’s social media presence has dwindled, and he has maintained a low profile, with his last public appearance occurring in May 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland, where he attended the Conference League final in a private capacity while Chelsea emerged victorious against Real Betis.

According to reports, he has been largely residing in London, regularly attending church as a devoted Christian. However, due to his suspension, he is unable to train with teammates and is instead working with a private coach at a separate facility. His access to club resources and players is described as “extremely limited”. In September, he was also handed a six-month driving ban for repeated traffic violations.

Chelsea has been notably quiet since acknowledging Mudryk’s provisional suspension 13 months ago, awaiting the investigation’s outcome. In contrast, his former club Shakhtar Donetsk has vocally supported their academy graduate. The Ukrainian club faces a potential loss of up to £26 million ($35 million) in add-ons from Mudryk’s transfer, yet they emphasize their concern for his well-being. Sporting director Dario Srna recently stated, “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 percent innocent – he will show that.”

Mudryk’s situation draws parallels with Paul Pogba’s recent doping ban. In September 2023, Pogba tested positive for DHEA, prompting a provisional suspension. His agent claimed that the player never intended to break any rules, yet Pogba ultimately faced a four-year ban, later reduced to 18 months after an appeal. This case might set a precedent for Mudryk’s situation, as he too has engaged the same legal team as Pogba.

The FA handles doping cases confidentially, providing little insight into the investigation’s progress or anticipated outcomes. Nevertheless, Mudryk shared a message on social media at the start of 2026, urging fans not to lose faith in him. Chelsea also publicly acknowledged his birthday, indicating some level of support, although skepticism remains regarding their true motivations.

Despite these glimmers of hope, it is likely that Mudryk has played his last competitive match for Chelsea. If the FA imposes a ban, the club may opt to terminate his contract, similar to Pogba’s fate at Juventus. Chelsea has been proactive in adjusting their squad in light of this situation, signing new wingers and reassigning Mudryk’s shirt number.

The primary challenge for Mudryk remains the likelihood of a ban despite his claims of innocence. The FA’s anti-doping regulations state that intent does not influence culpability; a player is deemed guilty if a banned substance is found in their system, regardless of the circumstances. In the worst-case scenario, Mudryk may face a four-year ban, although an appeal could reduce it, potentially allowing him to return to the game in June 2026. However, the FA’s investigation has progressed more slowly than the Italian authorities did in Pogba’s case, meaning a resolution may still be far off.

Should Mudryk be cleared to play again, it would not be surprising if Chelsea seeks to facilitate his return to match fitness in pre-season before exploring options for a loan transfer. In the long term, they face a significant financial loss on a player they once secured at great expense.