Things have gone from bad to worse for Chelsea ace Mykhailo Mudryk. Currently serving a doping suspension from the Football Association (FA), the 24-year-old Ukrainian winger has been slapped with yet another driving ban after police stopped him in his £140,000-worth BMW, which has been fitted with excessively tinted windows. He's received a further 12 months away from driving.
Having signed for the Blues two years ago for an eye-catching fee of £88.5 million, many believed the speedster would lock down the left wing as his own, but after just 73 matches of service, he was suspended from playing football after failing a drugs test in December 2024. One year on and Mudryk is still yet to return to the pitch.
That's because Traces of Meldonium, a performance-enhancing drug that was added to the WADA’s prohibited list on January 1, 2016, were found in the ‘A’ sample. It was only in June of this year that the FA charged the former Shakthar Donetsk ace with a doping offence – and reports claimed that he could be in line to spend a four-year period on the sidelines as a result.
Mykhailo Mudryk in action for Chelsea Related
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The 24-year-old hasn't featured in a Chelsea matchday squad in 12 months after a failed doping test.
Mudryk Faces Further 12-Month Driving Ban After Latest Offence
mudryk ukraine
On October 2 in west London, Mudryk was driving his BMW – identified by its Ukrainian number plate – when police officers noticed the "heavy" dark glass on the windows. The footballer's vehicle had been pulled over previously for similar concerns and the latest check on the Chelsea winger revealed that he was already disqualified for previous speeding offences.
The police pulled over the 24-year-old on the A4 in west London and additional tests also proved the front windows did not meet legal light-visibility requirements. In layman's terms, the tests showed they did not let in enough light, which could cause harm to him or other drivers.
Daniel Higgins, defending, said Mudryk drove because his chauffeur was not available to take him to training. Higgins claimed the Stamford Bridge star “was not thinking” and had faced a “difficult year” what with being banned from donning the Chelsea strip.
Mudryk, of Fulham, southwest London, admitted to driving while disqualified and without insurance on the day he was pulled over by the police. The 28-cap, three-goal Ukraine international also pleaded guilty to using a vehicle in such a condition it was likely to cause danger.
The speedy wide man, who was keenly admired by Mikel Arteta and Arsenal before his expensive 2023 switch to Stamford Bridge, has received a further 12-month driving ban, a year-long community order with 60 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £199 by Uxbridge magistrates.
mudryk chelsea premier league
At the moment, it is unsure when Mudryk – whose failed drugs test could be as a result of a cow, according to a Ukrainian journalist – will return to a football pitch, but recent reports have suggested that he could make his long-awaited return on 17 January as there is a chance his suspension is lifted.
Foot Mercato, should Mudryk be allowed to resume playing between January and the end of the campaign, have reported he could be sent out on loan with La Liga outfit Sevilla – who are struggling to produce anything of note in the final third – showing a keen interest in the speedy wide man.
Mykhailo Mudryk – Career Statistics
Club/Country
Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk
Ukraine
Shakthar Donetsk UEFA U19
Desna Chernigiv
Arsenal Kyiv (-2019)
Strasbourg, a French football club who are also owned by BlueCo, are also keeping close tabs on Mudryk's situation as the opening of the mid-season transfer window looms. A permanent deal or exchange is reportedly being considered by Liam Rosenior's side, who would be unable to take him on a temporary basis due to already homing three Chelsea loanees.
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 10/12/2025