Mykhailo Mudryk faces the possibility of a seven- year ban

One of the midfielders of Chelsea Football Club, Mykhailo Mudryk could be suspended for at least four years after he failed a drug test in Ukraine.

The news was confirmed by major media houses on Tuesday, December 17, 2025, according to reports, Mudryk’s representatives have not commented on a report in his native Ukraine that alleged an ‘A’ sample taken in October was found to be positive for doping.

The 23-year-old last started a game for Chelsea at the end of November when he scored in the Europa Conference League victory over Heidenheim. Mudryk was then an unused substitute against Aston Villa on Dec 1, 2024, but has not been in a matchday squad since.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca had previously confirmed that Mudryk has been missing since the Villa game through illness. Mudryk still has seven years to run on a Chelsea contract which the club extended by 12 months this year.

What did Mykhailo Mudryk say about the situation?

“I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance. This has come as a complete shock as I have NEVER knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened. I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can."

Mudryk joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023, the winger has struggled with the transition to the Premier League and is yet to reach the heights of every Chelsea supporter around the world.

Recently, Paul Pogba was issued a four-year ban for doping reduced to 18 months and subsequently terminated his contract at Juventus.