Mykhailo Mudryk is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs as he could return to action on Wednesday against Juventus in a friendly in Hong Kong
Mykhailo Mudryk, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Danny Welbeck
Mykhailo Mudryk, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Danny Welbeck (Image: (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))
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Mykhailo Mudryk could return to action on Wednesday after being named in Chelsea's squad to play Juventus in a friendly in Hong Kong, following 20 months on the sidelines. The Ukrainian was suspended for four years after failing a drug test, which revealed the presence of a low concentration of meldonium, a prohibited substance, in 2024.
But he was cleared to return to action last week after resolving his case with the Football Association. The Ukraine international joined Xabi Alonso‘s squad in Hong Kong for their pre-season tour and was swarmed by fans at the airport after touching down on Monday.
He received a huge cheer when taking part in an opening training session earlier today. And after finishing his session, Mudryk took time out to sign autographs and also pose for pictures with supporters.
Although expected to feature against Juventus, Chelsea have reportedly received a number of approaches over a deal for the winger this summer.
Coventry and two other Premier League clubs were claimed to be interested, but a report claimed on Tuesday that Chelsea were leaning towards a loan deal with Strasbourg.
Mudryk is free to play football again after the FA and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) resolved their disciplinary process against him following an appeal, ending his four-year ban early.
Mudryk was suspended for four years after failing a drug test, which revealed the presence of a low concentration of meldonium, a prohibited substance, in 2024.
He filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but changes to WADA procedures in the interim meant that had his failed test produced the same result now, charges would not have been brought.
Mykhailo Mudryk
Mykhailo Mudryk during Chelsea's open training session in Hong Kong(Image: May James/AFP)
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But the FA confirmed on Friday: "Changes have been made… which, while not retroactive, mean that if Mr Mudryk’s sample was collected today, the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported and no anti-doping rule violations would have resulted.
"Further to that development and to other circumstances of the case, the FA and Mr Mudryk have now – with the agreement of WADA – resolved the appeal proceedings.
"As a part of the agreement, Mr Mudryk accepted that he had committed the ADRVs charged and acceded to a period of ineligibility equal to the time served at the date of the agreement.
"Mr Mudryk is no longer ineligible and may return to competition with immediate effect."
While Mudryk wrote on Instagram: "After a long battle, the four-year ban that was imposed on me has been rescinded and I am free to resume my career with immediate effect.
"I am grateful that this process has reached a conclusion, that I have been cleared to return to football and that I can now look ahead to my future. This has been the most difficult period of my career."