Test Results Shock Chelsea’s Mudryk

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk expressed his “complete shock” after testing positive for a banned substance.

The club confirmed on Tuesday that the Football Association had contacted them following an “adverse finding” in a routine urine test provided by the Ukrainian international.

Mudryk, who denies knowingly using any prohibited substances, emphasized that he is working closely with his team to understand how this could have happened.

On Instagram, he wrote, “This has come as a complete shock, as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules. I am working with my team to investigate how this could have occurred. I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.”

The exact substance found in Mudryk’s test remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether he has been provisionally suspended, as some reports have suggested. BBC Sport has reached out to the Football Association for further clarification.

Mudryk, 23, last played for Chelsea on November 28 and has missed the last five matches across all competitions. Although he was named in the matchday squad for Chelsea’s victory over Aston Villa on December 1, he did not play. Head coach Enzo Maresca had previously stated that Mudryk’s absence was due to illness.

Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for a deal worth up to £89 million. Since his arrival, he has scored 10 goals in 73 appearances for the club.