Mykhailo Mudryk has hinted at the possibility of returning to football. (Image: Getty)
Chelsea attacker Mykhailo Mudryk has given the biggest indication he could soon return to professional football while awaiting a verdict on his anti-doping claim. The 25-year-old took to his official Instagram page on July 16 to share a cryptic update, hinting that his 19-month stint on the front line may be coming to an end.
Along with an image of himself training on the pitch, he simply wrote, “Please stay tuned.” The Ukrainian has been uploading clips of himself with the ball since his suspension began in December 2024, but this latest caption strongly suggests that an official decision on his playing career could be imminent.
Mudryk joined Stamford Bridge from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a fee of £61m and has not played a game since November 2024. Unable to take part in the team’s official training sessions, the winger has been keeping fit by working with a personal fitness coach and goalkeeper at non-league side Uxbridge FC’s facilities.
The forward has filed a lawsuit with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge the suspension originally imposed by the Football Association. His long absence began after a standard drug test yielded “adverse findings”, resulting in an immediate provisional suspension effective December 2024.
According to the BBC, Mudryk came into contact with meldonium, a cardiovascular drug that increases breathing capacity and stamina, in October 2024 while representing the Ukrainian national team. Meldonium has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since January 1, 2016.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 3: Chelsea’s Myhailo Mudryk during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on November 3, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) (Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
The Ukrainian player was indicted in June 2025 and given the maximum sanction by the FA: a ban from all sporting activities for four years. However, the FA did not provide further details about the incident, nor did it explain why Mudryk was suspended.
In a statement reported by the BBC in April this year, CAS said: “CAS confirmed receipt of Mykhailo Mudryk’s appeal against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026. The parties are currently exchanging written submissions and no hearing has yet been scheduled.”
If Mudryk serves his full suspension, he would be eligible to play again in December 2028, as the suspension will be retroactive to the time of his initial suspension. By that stage, he will have 30 months left on his contract with Chelsea, which runs until June 2031.
Mihailo Mudryk (Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
However, with the appeal process currently underway in Switzerland’s CAS court, Mudryk could be reinstated sooner if his suspension is reduced or overturned altogether. Sources reported by the BBC as “close to the player” remain hopeful that he will return to action in the near future.
Mudryk has only made one public statement since receiving his shocking suspension from football. In a lengthy post, he expressed “complete shock” and declared his innocence, claiming he had “never knowingly used a banned substance or broken any rules.”
The Ukrainian winger is being represented by British law firm Morgan Sports Law, which previously represented former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, boxer Tyson Fury and cyclist Chris Froome in separate investigations.
Both Chelsea and Morgan Sports Law have been contacted for comment.
