Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk considering drastic career change amid doping ban

Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk is said to be considering a huge career change after being charged by the FA for a failed doping test. The Ukrainian forward was provisionally suspended last year after testing positive for banned performance-enhancing substance meldonium.

Following an investigation, he was formally charged earlier this summer which prompted Chelsea to release a club statement.

"We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with Anti-Doping Rule Violations alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in terms of Regulations 3 and 4 of The FA's Anti-Doping Regulations. As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time," it read.

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Blues boss Enzo Maresca added some comments on Mudryk in a press conference before his side's Club World Cup clash against Flamengo.

"I spoke with Mischa in Poland when we played the Conference League final [vs Real Betis]," Maresca said. "I haven't spoken with him since then.

"I didn't see the news but it was communicated to me. There's nothing more I can add because I don't have more information. Mischa is a Chelsea player. Until he is not, I will trust. And that goes for all the players.

"Last time I spoke to him he was quite good. I didn't see him worried. I haven't spoken to him since then so I don't know, but for sure we will have contact with him."

Mudryk faces being banned from football for up to four years and with the threat of that in mind, it is perhaps no surprise he appears to be considering a drastic career change. According to Spanish outlet Marca, the 24-year-old has made it his goal to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a sprinter for Ukraine.

Their report added he has been training with former Olympians but would need to meet World Athletics' minimum requirements and also pass the Ukrainian trials in 2027 to have any chance of featuring.

Mudryk wanting to become a sprinter is not too surprising given his explosive pace, one of his biggest traits in football. That was clearly on display during his debut for Chelsea back in January 2023 against Liverpool at Anfield.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk star broke records in that outing as he hit a staggering speed of 36.63 km/h. The following season he was recorded at speeds of 35.79 km/h.