Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has taken a lie detector test as an update on his future at Stamford Bridge emerges. The £89 million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 hasn’t featured for the best part of a year as he awaits the outcome of a potential ban following a failed doping test.
The Ukraine international last played for the Blues in a Europa Conference League win over Heidenheim in November 2024. His most recent appearance in a Premier League matchday squad came on December 1 of the same year, when he was an unused substitute against Aston Villa.
Even so, there remains optimism that he can return to first-team football soon and play a meaningful role in Enzo Maresca’s side. His time in English football has so far produced just 10 goals and 11 assists in 73 appearances, but he would be returning to a team that's in far better shape than the one he left behind 12 months ago.
Mudryk Volunteered For Lie Detector Test Back in April
mudryk chelsea
Mudryk faces a suspension of up to four years if he is found guilty of taking a prohibited substance, believed to be meldonium. The winger has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting he had no idea he had ingested anything banned.
As reported in April, the Ukrainian even took a polygraph test to try to prove his innocence - which he passed. Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergie Palin told GIVEMESPORT:
"I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose. He doesn't understand how it could have happened. He has no clue. No idea at all. So his lawyers organised for him to take a lie detector test, which he passed. It will form part of the evidence showing he didn't intentionally do anything wrong."
He added: "Mudryk has been clear, it's not his fault that he tested positive. We now need to find out how this has happened, and who did this. His lawyers are trying to find out. There are still no results from the B-sample, so that remains open. Nobody knows what's happened. I wish Mudryk all the best. He's a top professional and a very good person. He should be protected.
"Shakhtar also has a vested interest. There are bonuses from his move to Chelsea linked to his performances. If he's not playing, it causes problems for us because we could potentially lose €30m. So Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk, we are in one boat. We all support Mudryk, and hope he is allowed to continue playing football soon."
Mudryk's Chelsea Future
Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk celebrates scoring a goal with Enzo Fernandez
According to the Daily Mail, Mudryk will be given the chance to make up for lost time when he returns to action. Reports suggest Mudryk has largely stayed around London over the past year, though he is unable to train with his Chelsea teammates or even visit Cobham - and he now looks unrecognisable to his former self, such has been the length of time he has been absent.
Sources indicate he has been working with an external trainer so that, if and when he is allowed to return to professional football, he will be ready. As a deeply religious man, he reportedly has faith that this will happen. Chelsea are limited in how much support they can provide, but insiders say they trust and stand behind him.
The biggest obstacle for him will be the fierce competition for places at a club that seems to stockpile wingers as if they’re running out. Pedro Neto was signed last summer, while Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho arrived this summer. Whether Mudryk can gazump them in a side that currently sits second in the Premier League will largely be down to him.