Banned Chelsea star Mikaylo Mudrick is said to be considering a major career shift after free agent accusations for a failed doping. The Ukrainian winger was tentatively banned last year after returning positive results against the banned performance-enhancing substance, Meldonium. After a thorough investigation, he received formal accusations in mid-June, urging Chelsea to issue an official statement.
“In terms of FA’s anti-doping rules regulations 3 and 4, we can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with violation of anti-doping rules claiming the presence and/or use of prohibited substances. Facing the possibility of a four-year ban from football, Mudryk is reportedly considering a dramatic career shift.
According to a Spanish publication, Marca, the 24-year-old, signed for £88 million in January 2023, is aiming to compete as a Ukrainian sprinter at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The report further states that he is training with former Olympic athletes, but will meet the minimum requirements for world athletics and may pass the Ukrainian trial in 2027 and participate.
Blues manager Enzo Maresca provided ideas about Madrick at a media briefing ahead of his team’s Club World Cup encounter with Flamengo.
“When I spoke to Misha in Poland, we played the Conference League Finals (VS Real Betis),” Maresca said. “I haven’t spoken to him since.
“I didn’t see the news, but it was told to me. I have no more information so there’s nothing I can add. Misha is a Chelsea player. I trust him until he isn’t.
“The last time I spoke to him he was pretty good. I wasn’t worried about him. I haven’t spoken to him since, so I don’t know, but we’ll get in touch with him.”
Given his explosive pace, one of his explosive paces, one of his most notable attributes in football, Madrick’s desire to be a sprinter is not so surprising. This was revealed during Chelsea’s debut against Liverpool at Anfield in January 2023.
The former Shakhtard Donetsk star broke the record in that match when it reached an astonishing speed of 36.63 km/h. The following season he was recorded at a speed of 35.79 km/h.
