England. "Doping, proceedings opened for Mudryk"

Chelsea striker Mykhaylo Mudryk (pictured) faces up to four years of doping ban. A Football Association spokesperson confirmed to Telegraph Sport that an investigation was underway into the Ukrainian: "We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with anti-doping rule breaches relating to the alleged presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, pursuant to Articles 3 and 4 of the FA Anti-Doping Regulations."

As reported by the newspaper, Mudryk has relied on Morgan Sports Law, the law firm that has already defended former Juventus star Paul Pogba. Confirming the positive test for a prohibited substance was Mudryk himself, who last December 17 assured that he had never "knowingly used prohibited substances" and that he was "working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened. I know I have done nothing wrong and I hope to return to the pitch soon. I cannot reveal anything else at the moment for confidentiality reasons, but I will do so as soon as possible", the Ukrainian playmaker wrote on social media.

Mudryk, 24, arrived at Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for 70 million euros plus thirty million in bonuses. In the last Premier League season, in Maresca's team, he played only seven games - without goals - given the suspension for doping that began in December. In the Conference League, a cup that the Blues later won, he scored three goals in six appearances.