Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
As per reports, Chelsea blocked a loan move for 23-year-old Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk in January 2024. The Blues believed that he had the potential to win the Ballon d'Or in two years and they decided against letting him leave the club.
Mudryk moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk after the Blues paid a reported fee of €70 million. They had fought off Arsenal, who were also openly interested in signing the winger, who was widely expected to excel in the Premier League.
However, he has failed to meet those expectations, struggling to impact games in the manner he did in Ukraine. He scored 12 goals and provided 17 assists in just 44 first-team games for Donetsk. Since his move to the Bridge, though, he has scored merely 10 goals and provided nine assists in 73 games.
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His poor performances raised uncertainty around his future at the club, leading to rumors about interest from other clubs in Europe. According to The Telegraph journalist Matt Law, a big European club went to Chelsea with a loan offer with a view to a permanent move for Mudryk. However, the Blues refused to let him leave.
The report revealed that they recognized his talent as potential for clinching the Ballon d'Or within two years. It is worth noting that the 23-year-old winger has not made the nomination list or rankings for the award before. His future remains uncertain again, as he recently failed a routine drug test.
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk tests positive for banned substance
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has tested positive for a banned substance, with the Blues revealing that there was an "adverse finding in a routine urine test." This has led to his provisional suspension by the English FA, and he could potentially be banned for up to four years, as per FIFA guidelines.
The winger made a statement about the situation on social media, writing (via BBC):
"This has come 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 have happened. I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon."
Mudryk has not played regularly this season, with just seven Premier League games for Chelsea under his belt. He has yet to register a goal or an assist in the league. The winger has not participated in any of their last five matches, with head coach Enzo Maresca citing illness as the reason.