Mykhailo Mudryk is a forgotten figure at Chelsea after such a long period out suspended on the sidelines.
Mykhailo Mudryk has been completely out of action for Chelsea for over 19 months, having last featured in a competitive match back in November 2024.
The Ukrainian winger was officially hit with a four-year football ban by the FA after testing positive for meldonium. Mudryk, who has been stripped of his number 10 shirt in favour of Cole Palmer, has consistently denied any intentional wrongdoing.
He recently lodged an official appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a legal battle to rescue his career and overturn the multi-year suspension.
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It’s not looking good for Mykhailo Mudryk
The London Is Blue podcast had Ben Jacobs on as a guest on their podcast, where he gave a rough timeline on how the proceedings will unfold following Mykhailo Mudryk’s appeal.
“In theory, Mudryk could win an appeal and be back playing at some point next season as well, although I still think he would be viewed as further down the pecking order than some other players.
“It’s a 4-year ban, the maximum, and it’s been appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. At the time we’re recording this, the Court of Arbitration for Sport have not set a date for a hearing. And the parties also have to agree whether they’re going to have a sole arbitration or a three-panel judging process. And once they’ve determined those two parts, CAS can say, “Okay, we’re going to hear the case on this date.”
“But before CAS can say it’s on this date, the parties have to submit what are called written responses. And those responses are not deadlined or timed. There’s not a court date first and then you’re rushing to meet it. Once the submissions in written form come through, then CAS can say, “Okay, this is the format of the hearing and this is the date of the hearing.” And at this stage, that’s what we’re waiting for.
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“And depending on the complexity of the case, that could take weeks or months more.
“Remember one key point in all of this. Mudryk is not getting off entirely. So Mudryk is still having a ban, even if it’s reduced.”
Chelsea should probably forget about Mudryk
Chelsea should decisively move on from Mykhailo Mudryk, regardless of his upcoming CAS appeal outcome. By the time he is legally cleared to step onto a pitch, he will have missed nearly two seasons of competitive football, completely stalling his development and his match sharpness.
If his four-year ban is successfully reduced, Chelsea’s best strategy is to arrange an immediate long-term loan move, potentially to a club like BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, allowing him to safely rebuild his rhythm away from the intense media scrutiny of Stamford Bridge.
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