Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shown full support for Mykhailo Mudryk after the 23-year-old Ukrainian winger found himself at the center of a drugs test scandal. On Tuesday, Chelsea was informed by the Football Association about an “adverse finding” in a urine sample provided by Mudryk, raising concerns about the player’s future.
Mudryk, visibly shocked by the news, took to Instagram to address the issue, explaining that he had never knowingly taken a banned substance. “The result of my ‘A’ sample came as a complete shock,” he wrote, stressing that he had no intention of breaking any rules.
In response, Maresca spoke with confidence about the club’s trust in Mudryk, stating, “We trust Misha. When something like this happens, it’s important to support the player in every possible way.” He continued, “Misha is a Chelsea player, and it’s my responsibility to be in contact with him. We, as a club, his teammates, and I, are all here for him. Trust means we believe in him.”
Under UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) regulations, athletes who intentionally take banned substances face a four-year ban. However, if the violation involves a contaminated product or a specified substance, and the athlete can prove it wasn’t intentional, the punishment could range from a two-year suspension to just a reprimand, depending on the circumstances.
Mudryk has had a solid season, making 15 appearances for Chelsea, including scoring his third goal of the campaign in a 2-0 victory against Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League. However, he has missed the last five matches across all competitions.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his situation, Maresca remains hopeful, saying, “I think he’s going to come back; the only thing is we don’t know when.” He stressed that, no matter a player’s age or nationality, everyone deserves support during such difficult times. “It’s not about whether he’s 20 or 30, or whether he’s English, Italian, or Ukrainian. Every player needs support when something like this happens.”
Mudryk, who made the move to Chelsea in January 2023 for a reported £88.5 million ($112 million) from Shakhtar Donetsk, has been an important part of the squad. Chelsea currently sits second in the Premier League and is leading their European Conference League group. Their next match is against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.
As the situation develops, Chelsea’s commitment to supporting Mudryk is unwavering, and the player himself remains hopeful for a swift resolution to clear his name.
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