Mykhailo Mudryk could secure a loan departure from Chelsea to Strasbourg as he aims to restart his career following an anti-doping violation charge. The winger has not featured since 2024, when the FA accused him of breaching rules, potentially facing a four-year suspension.
Chelsea signed the 25-year-old from Shakhtar Donetsk for £89 million in 2023. He recorded 10 goals and 11 assists across 73 outings, a performance that drew criticism as underwhelming prior to his current sidelining.
Sources indicate Mudryk may avoid the full ban duration. In early 2026, he shared an uplifting message with supporters: “Please don’t give up on me, as I have not given up on myself. Can’t wait to see you soon.” Photos also emerged of him training on the 3G pitch at non-league Uxbridge FC alongside his personal coaching staff.
Strasbourg Loan in the Works
Chelsea plans to offer Mudryk a loan to sister club Strasbourg upon clearance for professional play. This season alone, the clubs have completed 12 transfers, including Ben Chilwell, Aaron Anselmino, and Mike Penders. Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior previously joined Strasbourg, leveraging the close ties under BlueCo ownership.
Some Strasbourg ultras protest the arrangement by remaining silent for the opening 15 minutes of matches, upset over losing their manager mid-season. Still, the partnership enables access to top talent, positioning Mudryk for a potential revival.
Latest on the Doping Investigation
A final ruling on Mudryk’s case remains pending with no set timeline. World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka noted in November: “First of all, we are waiting for a disciplinary decision in his case from the English FA. As of today, we do not know when it will come. Then, according to the anti-doping code, we will request the player’s documentation and will decide whether we agree with this disciplinary decision. We can appeal in two cases: if we consider the decision too harsh or too lenient.”
Mudryk maintains his innocence, stating immediately after the charge: “This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.”
