Chelsea outcast Mykhailo Mudryk could face a ban of up to four years after allegedly failing a doping test, according to reports in Ukraine.
The winger, who joined the club in a £89m deal from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, has been one of the biggest flops in Premier League history. He has scored just five goals in only 53 league appearances for the Blues.
The 23-year-old has not played since scoring in a 2-0 win against Heidenheim in the Europa Conference League in November. He was last included in a match-day squad at the start of this month against Aston Villa, when he failed to appear in the 3-0 win.
And reports in his native Ukraine claim the reason behind his absence is a failed doping test. It’s alleged that a second sample has since been requested, the result of which has yet to be determined.
According to the reports, the supposed banned substance has not been disclosed. Mudryk could potentially be banned for up to four years for doping, if his B sample also returns a positive reading, meaning the attacker may be absent from the pitch for a significant period of time.
(Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea have been contacted for comment, reports the Mirror. Mudryk addressed the failed test in a post on social media.
He wrote: “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.”
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Mudryk arrived at Stamford Bridge on an eight-and-a-half-year contract for an initial transfer fee of £62m, potentially rising to £89m in add-ons, in a club record sale for Shakhtar and the Ukrainian Premier League, making him the most expensive Ukrainian footballer of all time.
Premier League title rivals Arsenal were also interested in signing the Ukraine star when he moved to England nearly two years ago. It was claimed he favoured a move to The Emirates and was left ‘devastated’ when it failed to materialise.