Chelsea Open to Loaning Mudryk After Doping Ban

Chelsea will not entertain the permanent sale of winger Mykhailo Mudryk this summer, with the club instead open to a loan move to secure him regular first-team football. The decision comes as the 25-year-old Ukrainian looks to rebuild his career following a 20-month absence due to a doping ban.

Mudryk's ban was resolved in late July 2026 after he reached a settlement with the Football Association. He had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium while on international duty in November 2024. Under new anti-doping protocols, the substance's threshold has been updated, meaning a test conducted today would not have resulted in a violation. However, as the new rules cannot be applied retroactively, Mudryk accepted a 20-month ban, which the FA allowed him to serve immediately, permitting his return to football.

The winger, who signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for an initial £62 million, made his return for Chelsea in a preseason friendly against Juventus in Hong Kong on August 5. He has since featured in brief cameo appearances against AC Milan and Johor Darul Tazim. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has described the situation as a "special case" requiring sensitivity.