Casablanca – Ukrainian footballer Mykhailo Mudryk is finally free to return to action after spending nearly 20 months on the sidelines. The winger hadn’t played an official match since November 2024 after being suspended following a positive doping test for meldonium, a banned substance.
Although Mudryk has always denied knowingly using a performance-enhancing drug and consistently maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, he was forced to remain out of action until receiving clearance to play again.
Arriving at Chelsea in January 2023 for €70 million, potentially rising to €100 million with bonuses, the former Shakhtar Donetsk star never truly managed to justify Chelsea’s investment. In just under two seasons, the Ukrainian made 73 appearances, scored 10 goals, and provided 11 assists, without ever establishing himself as a regular starter.
While this authorization is excellent news on a personal level, the most difficult part may be just beginning for Mudryk. Since his absence, Chelsea have significantly strengthened their attack. Big-money signing Pedro Neto, summer arrival Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, and Brazilian Estêvão have all added competition in attack.
The situation was already difficult before his suspension, with Noni Madueke and João Félix also occupying important roles in the attack line. The context is therefore very different from the one he left. Talented but still too inconsistent
During his first seasons in the Premier League, Mudryk will now have to impress new Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso during the club’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong.
