Mikhaïlo Moudrik backed by Chelsea as meldonium case continues | OneFootball

Mikhaïlo Moudrik has been off the pitch for almost 18 months and has been provisionally suspended by the FA since December 2024 after an October meldonium test. He is trying to clear his name while a final ruling is awaited.

In an ideal world he would face Achraf Hakimi at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday at 21:00, but he has scarcely featured since his last official match on 28 November 2024. According to the BBC, he may have been exposed to meldonium while on Ukraine duty, a claim the national federation has rejected.

Signed in January 2023 for more than €70m, he has played 73 times for Chelsea and has 28 caps and 3 goals for Ukraine. At the time, he insisted he had done nothing wrong and hoped to return soon.

He keeps training alone as required, and in early March posted a short video from Uxbridge FC showing a crisp left-foot strike. Away from sessions, he sometimes turns to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Represented by Morgan Sports Law, he was charged in June after the first analysis of the B sample and could face up to four years if intent is proven. The firm declined to comment, calling the case strictly private under anti-doping rules.

Shakhtar Donetsk remain his main backers and still hope to collect nearly €30m in add-ons from his transfer. He has not been with the squad since a smiling photo with Enzo Fernandez during the Conference League title celebrations in late May 2025.

Chelsea continue to support the 25-year-old, who signed an eight-and-a-half-year deal on arrival and is contracted until June 2031.

Source: L'Équipe