Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his support for Mykhailo Mudryk following the winger’s provisional suspension after a failed drug test.
Mudryk has denied knowingly using any banned substances and is awaiting the results of a B sample to confirm or contradict the original failed test.
“We trust Mykhailo, and when things like this happen, it’s important to support your players in every way,” Maresca said. “It’s a general matter. Mykhailo is a Chelsea player, involved with the squad, so it’s also my responsibility to stay in contact with him. Myself, the club, his teammates, and the player—we are all there for him.”
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Maresca added that everyone at Chelsea is “upset, sad, and committed to supporting Mykhailo,” noting he last spoke to the player a few days ago. Mudryk’s recent absences from matchdays were previously attributed to an undisclosed illness.
“At the moment, he can’t train,” Maresca explained. “We’re waiting, but the club is fully ready to support him in all aspects. These situations can happen to both young and experienced players. Since we started, I’ve aimed to build close relationships with my players, and with Mudryk, it’s no different. I’m here to help him with whatever he needs.”
Maresca emphasized that Mudryk will need support from the club, himself, and his teammates during this time. “We’re all here for him,” he added.
Despite the current uncertainty, Maresca remains confident that Mudryk’s career is not over. “I believe he will return. The only question is when, but I’m certain he will come back,” he said.
The maximum suspension for intentionally using a banned substance is four years, as seen in the case of Paul Pogba, who received that punishment after elevated testosterone levels were found in his system. Pogba claimed it resulted from a prescribed supplement, and his ban was reduced to 18 months on appeal.
Similarly, Andre Onana faced a 12-month ban in 2021 after testing positive for a banned substance, which he claimed came from accidentally taking his wife’s medication while unwell. His ban was later reduced to nine months on appeal.