‘When the time is right’ – Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior gives update on Mykhailo Mudryk, as return to training rejected during doping ban
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has given an update on the banned Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk. The 25-year-old has not played competitive football since November 2024, after being charged with breaching the English Football Association’s (FA) anti-doping rules in June 2025, following a failed doping test. Mudryk’s career has been in a vacuum since he was placed under an indefinite temporary suspension, which could eventually be turned into a four-year suspension.
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Mudryk’s career in jeopardy due to ban
Mudryk has been on the sidelines for much of two years after being banned indefinitely for violating doping rules.
At the time, Mudryk said, “I can confirm that I have been informed that a sample I submitted to the FA contained a banned substance.
“This comes as a complete shock, as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could happen. I know I have done nothing wrong and remain optimistic that I will be back on the pitch soon. I can’t say more now because of the confidentiality of the process, but I will do it as soon as I can.”
While that off-pitch struggle has continued, little progress seems to have been made. Mudryk cannot train with his teammates due to the ban and has kept a low profile, although in September he received a six-month prison sentence for repeated traffic offences.
His former club, Shakhtar Donetsk, has supported him. Sporting director Darijo Srna recently said: “When we talk about Mudryk, we don’t think about the money, we talk about the human being. We feel so sorry for him. We know that he is 100 percent innocent – he wants to show that. We support him as a former player, a human being and a friend. We don’t think the money is important.”
Rosenior will talk to the Ukrainian “when the time is right”
Graham Potter was Chelsea’s manager when Mudryk first signed for the club, and he has since been replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and now Rosenior, who took over the helm at Stamford Bridge earlier in January.
When asked if he has already spoken to Mudryk, Rosenior said, “Not yet. It’s definitely something I want to do, but there are a lot of things I want to do that I haven’t been able to do yet.
“But, no, he’s a fantastic player. He has had a very difficult period and when the moment is right for me, him and the club, I will definitely have a conversation with him.”
He added: “The time has come when I talk to the board and the sporting directors and when it is right that he is in a place where I can have a positive impact on his career.”
Mudryk turned down Arsenal to go to Chelsea
Mudryk was notoriously a transfer target for Arsenal’s, Chelsea’s London rivals. However, “The Gunners” were overtaken by “The Blues”, who agreed a starting fee of £62 million with Shakhtar, which could potentially rise to £89 million in additional payments.
He made 17 appearances in his first half-season with Chelsea, providing two assists, but without registering his first goal for the club. It came in his first full season in west London when he scored seven times, while he had managed three goals and four assists – the majority of which came in the Conference League – in the 2024/25 season before his season was ended by his suspension.
The winger has not played competitive football since November 2024
His 2024/25 season ended in November, and Mudryk has not played competitive football since. He is hoping for a reduced sentence if he is found guilty, similar to the case of Paul Pogba, who was initially given a severe sentence before being reduced on appeal. However, Mudryk has yet to officially receive a permanent ban, so there is still a lot of time left in this sad story.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will face Crystal Palace in a London derby at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Sunday.
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