Mudryk cleared to return to football after doping ban

The English Football Association has ruled that the four-year suspension handed to Ukrainian footballer Mykhailo Mudryk over a doping charge has been served in full, allowing him to return to the sport. The 25-year-old winger is now free to rejoin Chelsea and begin preparing for the upcoming campaign. He was initially banned for four years after being accused of using banned substances, but his time on the sidelines has been cut short after the FA accepted that the punishment already served was enough.

Mudryk missed one year and eight months of competitive football. It is still not known whether Chelsea will offer him a place in the squad or send him out to another club. Chelsea head coach Xavi Alonso admitted he had not anticipated the player's return so early. According to Alonso, Mudryk will need time to rebuild his physical condition after the long break. The coach added that the Ukrainian could become a valuable attacking option if he stays at the club.

Mudryk moved to London in 2023 in a transfer worth 70 million euros from Shakhtar Donetsk. Since arriving in England, he has scored ten goals and recorded eight assists.