Mykhailo Mudryk: Enzo Maresca yet to speak to player since FA charge

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he has yet to speak to Mykhailo Mudryk since the forward was charged with violating the Football Association’s anti-doping rules but insists the player retains the club’s support.

Ukraine international Mudryk, 24, was provisionally suspended by the FA in December after an “adverse finding in a routine urine test” and now faces a potential four-year ban.

Mudryk, who at the time of his suspension said he was in “complete shock” and had “never knowingly used any banned substances”, last played for Chelsea in November but attended the Blues’ Uefa Conference League final win in Poland last month in a private capacity.

“Mischa is a Chelsea player and – as a Chelsea player – I trust all the Chelsea players,” said Maresca.

“I spoke with Mischa at the Conference League final in Poland but I haven’t spoken to him since.

“When I spoke to him he was quite good, I didn’t see him worried or not good, he was good and okay but I haven’t spoken to him since that day so I don’t know how he is now.”

Chelsea signed Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a deal worth up to £89m, and he is under contract at the club until June 2031.

Mudryk, who cannot currently train with the club, has scored 10 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.