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Mudryk Shifts Focus to Track Athletics Amid Doping Suspension
LONDON – Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, signed by Chelsea for a reported €100 million, is reportedly exploring a career in track athletics while serving a suspension stemming from a doping violation. The 24-year-old’s future in football hangs in the balance as he awaits the results of his “sample B” analysis.
Mudryk’s fall from grace has been swift. after joining Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, he’s scored 5 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions. His recent struggles on the pitch were compounded by a positive doping test following an international duty with the Ukraine national team in November 2024.The English Football Association (FA) charged him with the violation in June 2025, leading to a ban from official competitions.
The case centers around an injection of stem cells administered by the Ukraine national team physiotherapist, Igor Porobobi, during a training camp. According to a report in Ball, the injection was intended to aid tissue regeneration.However, the procedure resulted in the detection of meldonium, a prohibited substance, in Mudryk’s system.
A positive result on his “sample B” could lead to a suspension of up to four years, effectively derailing his football career. In the interim, mudryk is reportedly dedicating himself to training as a track athlete, leveraging his speed and athleticism.
Previously linked to Arsenal before opting for Chelsea, Mudryk’s last appearance for the blues was in a UEFA Conference League match against Heidenheim in November 2025. The outcome of his doping case will determine whether the expensive transfer will be remembered as a costly misstep or a temporary setback.
