Mudryk Faces Doping Charge Amidst Chelsea’s Turmoil

Mykhailo Mudryk’s last appearance for Chelsea was in November 2024. The following month, he faced serious allegations as the Football Association charged him with a doping violation. Despite his insistence on his innocence, he is currently confronting a potential four-year suspension, having already been sidelined for a year.

Upon receiving his provisional suspension in late 2024, Mudryk addressed his followers on Instagram, stating: “I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance. This revelation has come as a complete shock, as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or violated any rules. I am collaborating closely with my team to investigate how this situation could have occurred. I am confident that I have done nothing wrong and remain hopeful for a swift return to the pitch. I am unable to provide further details at this moment due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will communicate more as soon as I can.”

Mudryk joined Chelsea in January 2023 for a transfer fee that could reach £88 million ($118.5 million), contributing 10 goals in 73 matches since then. His ban has raised concerns for his former club, Shakhtar Donetsk, which could lose £30 million ($40 million) in performance-related add-ons. However, Darijo Srna, the director of football at Shakhtar, expressed confidence in Mudryk’s integrity, stating, “When we speak about Mudryk, we don’t think about the money; we speak about the human being. We feel immense sympathy for him. We know he is 100% innocent—he will prove that. We support him as an ex-player, a human being, and a friend. The financial implications are not our primary concern.”

Since the suspension, Mudryk has largely kept a low profile, occasionally sharing updates on social media. As the new year approached in 2026, he expressed eagerness to reconnect with his supporters, implying an optimistic outlook on his situation. He also urged his fans, saying: “Please don’t give up on me.”

In a recent Instagram story, he conveyed his gratitude to his followers: “Happy New Year to all my fans. I just wanted to say thank you for your support. I see all your messages and truly appreciate them, so please don’t give up on me as I have not given up on myself. Can’t wait to see you soon.”

While Mudryk remains hopeful, the atmosphere among Chelsea fans is less optimistic, especially following the dismissal of head coach Enzo Maresca due to a conflict with club management. Liam Rosenior from Strasbourg is reported to be the frontrunner for the coaching position at Stamford Bridge. In the interim, manager Calum McFarlane is striving to maintain stability within the team as they prepare for an upcoming match against Manchester City at the Etihad.

McFarlane commented on the recent upheaval: “It’s been a crazy 24 hours, a whirlwind as you can imagine, but also really enjoyable and exciting. I can only be positive about it. The club has a strong culture, with tremendous support from the first team and directors. Training today was excellent, with great energy. The players were focused, driven, and eager for the significant game ahead. Reece James has been outstanding, acting as a true leader for the group, helping the staff and players prepare for Sunday.”