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Need to know
With the January transfer window about to close, Chelsea fans might be wondering whether Mykhailo Mudryk - who is currently serving a provisional ban for doping - might be on the move
Mykhailo Mudryk hasn't played for Chelsea since November 2024(Image: GETTY)
Everything you need to know about Mykhailo Mudryk's Chelsea future
- The doping charge: Mykhailo Mudryk was provisionally suspended in December 2024 after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium following international duty with Ukraine. He was formally charged by the FA in June 2025 and has consistently pleaded his innocence, claiming he ingested the substance unknowingly.
- Lengthy absence: The winger has not made a single appearance for Chelsea in over 14 months, with his last game coming in a Conference League win over Heidenheim in November 2024. He has been prohibited from even training with the first-team squad at Cobham, instead working individually with a private coach in London.
- Potential four-year ban: Under the FA anti-doping regulations, Mudryk faces a maximum four-year ban if it is determined that the prohibited substance was taken intentionally. However, his legal team has been fighting the charge for over a year, hoping to reduce any final sentence to time already served during his provisional suspension.
- A "See You Soon" hint: In a New Year's message to fans last month, Mudryk posted a defiant "see you soon" message on Instagram, sparking rumours that his suspension might be nearing an end. This potentially clears the way for a return to football.
- Chelsea future: Mudryk's contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2031, but his long-term future remains uncertain. He was stripped of his No. 10 shirt last summer, and his lack of match fitness makes an immediate return to Chelsea's first team unlikely.
- Chelsea's stance: The Blues have already signalled they are planning for a future without Mudryk after handing his No. 10 shirt to Cole Palmer and investing in left-sided wingers like Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens. If a permanent ban is upheld, the club would likely have the legal grounds to terminate Mudryk's lucrative contract.
- Transfer interest: Sevilla and Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg have both been linked with a move for the 25-year-old. However, any departure may need to wait until the summer, allowing Mudryk time to rebuild his fitness through training.
- Can he technically move? Regulatory experts confirm that a player under a provisional suspension can be transferred to another club, though they would remain ineligible to play until the ban is officially lifted. Any buying club would be taking a massive financial risk, as they would be liable for his wages without knowing when - or if - he will be cleared.
- Deadline day reality: While a loan or permanent exit is theoretically possible today, most insiders expect Mudryk to stay at Chelsea until the FA delivers its final verdict. A move would only likely materialise if a club receives official confirmation that he is free to resume his playing career immediately.
- READ MORE: Mykhailo Mudryk state of play after three-word hint and Chelsea team-mates' response
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