Mudryk drops Chelsea hint as drug ban appeal wait continues

Chelsea attacker Mykhaylo Mudryk has provided the biggest indication yet that he could soon make his return to professional football, as he awaits the verdict on his doping ban appeal. The 25-year-old used his official Instagram page on July 16 to share a cryptic update, hinting that his 19-month spell on the sidelines might be coming to an end.

Alongside an image of himself training on a pitch, he simply wrote: "Stay tuned." While the Ukrainian has previously uploaded clips of himself with a ball since his suspension began in December 2024, this latest caption strongly implies an official decision regarding his playing career could be just around the corner.

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Mudryk, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Shakhtar Donetsk for an initial £61 million in January 2023, hasn't played a competitive fixture since November 2024. Prevented from participating in official team training sessions, the winger has been keeping himself sharp by working with a personal fitness coach and hired goalkeepers at the facilities of non-league outfit Uxbridge FC.

The forward has taken his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge the ban originally imposed by the Football Association. His lengthy absence began after a standard drug test produced an 'adverse finding', resulting in an immediate provisional suspension back in December 2024.

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According to the BBC, Mudryk came into contact with the cardiovascular medication meldonium, which can increase respiratory capacity and stamina, while representing the Ukraine national team in October 2024. Meldonium has been prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since January 1, 2016.

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The Ukrainian was charged in June 2025 and given the maximum sanction by the FA, which comprises a four-year ban from all sporting activity. However, the FA has never revealed additional details surrounding the case or established why Mudryk was banned.

In a statement, reported by the BBC in April this year, the CAS said: "CAS confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026. The Parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled."

Should Mudryk serve his full suspension, he would be eligible to play again in December 2028 as bans are backdated to the original point of suspension. By that stage, he would still have 30 months remaining on his Chelsea deal, which runs until June 2031.

Yet with the appeals process currently progressing through the CAS court in Switzerland, Mudryk could make his comeback sooner should the ban be reduced or overturned entirely. Sources cited by the BBC as being 'close to the player' remain hopeful that he will return to action in the near future.

Mudryk has issued just one public statement since his stunning ban from football. In a lengthy post, he proclaimed his innocence, expressing "complete shock" and maintaining he had "never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules".

The Ukrainian winger is being represented by British legal firm Morgan Sports Law, who previously acted for former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, boxer Tyson Fury and cyclist Chris Froome during their own individual investigations.

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