Mykhailo Mudryk: Ukrainian Winger Back in Action Boosts Chelsea Prospects

Chelsea winger and Ukraine international Mykhailo Mudryk returned to training last week after resolving an ongoing doping case with the Football Association, making his return to the Chelsea side in a friendly against Juventus in Hong Kong.

Why Was Mudryk Suspended from Football for Almost Two Years?

The 25-year-old has not played a competitive match for Chelsea in almost two years, since November 2024, following a provisional suspension from football after an ‘adverse finding’ for the banned substance meldonium by the FA.

He was originally suspended by the FA in December 2024 after a routine urine test taken while on international duty with Ukraine returned a positive result for the substance, before he was charged in June 2025.

Mudryk was given the maximum punishment for the findings and received a four-year ban from football, which the FA upheld following his recent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

According to a BBC article, Mudryk can return to competitive fixtures with Chelsea ”with immediate effect” after the Ukrainian accepted breaking anti-doping rules, whilst agreeing his suspension already served was an adequate punishment for his actions.

Mudryk’s contract at Chelsea runs until 2031, signed for £61m when he joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2022, as Chelsea looked to spread the costs of their player contracts by offering generous, lengthy deals to new signings.

A New Chapter for Mudryk at Stamford Bridge?

Mudryk joined Chelsea in 2022 for a fee of £61m, a transfer that would make him the most expensive Ukrainian footballer of all time and break the record for the most expensive player signed from the Ukrainian Premier League.

The Ukrainian made his debut in January 2023, when Chelsea travelled to Anfield to take on Liverpool. Mudryk came off the bench and made a strong impression on the Chelsea faithful, showing quick feet and pace in a game that would eventually end 0-0.

He made his full debut for Chelsea in a London derby against Fulham, a game that would also finish 0-0. However, it took almost 8 months to see him score his first competitive goal for the Blues, after he opened the scoring in a 2-0 win against Fulham on his 24th appearance for the club.

After joining the Blues, Mudryk has made 73 appearances in his four years at the club, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists, most notably his 9 Premier League goals and assists in the 2023/24 season.

With the 25-year-old returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time, under new manager Xabi Alonso and amidst the signing of Morgan Rogers, it is massively important for Mudryk to hit the ground running as he looks to solidify his place in the starting eleven.

But can he change Chelsea’s fortunes after failing to qualify for any European football this season with a disappointing 10th-place finish?

How Will Mudryk FIT into the New Chelsea Team?

With the new signing of £117m man Morgan Rogers, who looks to play off the left wing under Xabi Alonso, Mudryk’s playing time could, and most likely will, be limited, as the England international will be difficult to keep on the bench.

For the returning Ukrainian, domestic cup competitions such as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup could be his route back into contention for Premier League starts, especially if he can improve his output and end product for the Blues.

However, as of 1st August, Chelsea currently have six natural wingers in their squad, with most, if not all, of them able to play off the left. This could also become a problem for the 25-year-old as Alonso rotates his side, giving players minutes throughout the season.

However, according to a Daily Mail article, Chelsea have already received multiple enquiries about the Ukrainian’s availability, with newly promoted Coventry and Frank Lampard looking to bolster their squads with the winger.

This could be a perfect move for Mudryk, as it would significantly increase his chances of Premier League football in the 2026/27 season and could be his way back to scoring and assisting goals. Especially under a former manager in Lampard, who could nurture the Ukrainian as he makes his way back into football, as he did when the two were paired together at Stamford Bridge in 2023.

So should Mudryk consider a temporary or even permanent move away from Stamford Bridge to regain his form?

Speaking to the BBC, Chelsea said the club are ”pleased that the matter has now reached a conclusion which allows him to return to football with immediate effect.”

They also said: ”We have always supported Misha (Mudryk) throughout this process while fully fullt respecting the integrity of the anti-doping system and the legal process.”