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Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk ‘fails drugs test’ and faces lengthy ban

Mykhaylo Mudryk of Chelsea looks dejected following the team's defeat during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on September 02, 2023 in London, England

Mykhailo Mudryk could face a lengthy ban is found guilty of taking a performance-enhancing substance

Mykhailo Mudryk has reportedly failed a drugs test that could result in a long ban for the Chelsea winger.

Contacted by Telegraph Sport, Mudryk’s representatives have not commented on a report in his native Ukraine that alleged an ‘A’ sample taken in October was found to be positive for doping.

The report adds that Mudryk is still waiting on the result of a ‘B’ sample and whether or not it confirms the findings of his ‘A’ sample.

Chelsea are yet to comment on the report, having been contacted by Telegraph Sport on Tuesday morning.

Murdryk, who joined Chelsea almost two years ago in a deal worth an initial £62 million, could face a lengthy ban if the report in Ukraine is confirmed.

Paul Pogba had a four-year ban for doping reduced to 18 months and subsequently terminated his contract at Juventus.

Mudryk still has seven years to run on a Chelsea contract which the club extended by 12 months this year.

The 23-year-old last started a game for Chelsea at the end of November, when he scored in the Europa Conference League victory over Heidenheim.

Mudryk was then an unused substitute against Aston Villa on Dec 1, but has not been in a matchday squad since.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has claimed that Mudryk has been missing since the Villa game through illness.

Mudryk has worked with a personal trainer Dmytro Chapovskyi, who has also been pictured with Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández.

Having joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023, Mudryk has struggled with the transition to the Premier League and is yet to fulfil his promise.

He has scored five Premier League goals in 26 League starts and has fallen behind Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho in the Chelsea pecking order.

As part of his £62m move, Chelsea agreed to a series of bonuses that could push Mudryk’s total fee over £80 million.

The Football Association has not commented on the report that Mudryk has submitted a positive ‘A’ sample.

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