Jacque Talbot
Joao Felix, Chelsea
© IMAGO
Chelsea are reportedly "beginning to question" the signing of Joao Felix, according to reports in Spain.
The striker moved from Atletico Madrid to join the London club on a permanent deal worth €52 million and now they are thought to be having buyer's regret, per Fichajes.
The outlet states that the "former Atletico Madrid player's performances are far below expectations, and Stamford Bridge is already beginning to consider the options of selling him in the next winter transfer market."
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It's also believed that his former club Benfica are eyeing a move for Felix. The Portugal international has played just 294 minutes of Premier League action and features mainly in the club's "B Team", the second side of Chelsea that play in cup competitions.
Felix's future at Chelsea could be bolstered, however, as Mykhailo Mudryk reportedly tested positive for banned substance meldonium, in what was shock news yesterday.
The 23-year-old provided a positive ‘A’ sample while on international duty with Ukraine and the Football Association has provisionally suspended him while he waits for the result of his ‘B’ sample.
Mykhailo Mudryk doping suspension
Mudryk hasn’t played for Chelsea since 28 November and Enzo Maresca has cited illness as the reason behind his absence.
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He faces the possibility of being handed a four-year footballing ban, but he has now hired law firm Morgan Sports Law in a bid to reduce his potential sentence, according to The Telegraph.
The aforementioned Pogba was handed an initial four-year ban in 2023 after testing positive for testosterone, but this was recently reduced to 18 months and he will return to competitive action in early 2025.
Mudryk will hope for the same result if his ‘B’ sample comes back positive.
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Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea
© IMAGO - Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea
Following news of Mudryk’s provisional doping suspension, Chelsea said: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test.
“Both the club and Mykhailo fully support the FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested. Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances.
“Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding. The club will not be commenting any further.”
Mudryk himself posted a statement on social media that read: “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. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can.”
Mudryk joined Chelsea for an initial €70 million in January 2023 and he has scored 10 goals in 73 games for the clu