Mykhailo Mudryk: Chelsea winger fails drugs test and says he is in 'complete shock'

Chelsea's winger Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed his astonishment after receiving a positive test result for a prohibited substance.

On Tuesday, the club announced that the Football Association (FA) reached out to them following a negative result from a regular urine test taken by the Ukrainian international player.

The player, who has been temporarily suspended by the FA after testing positive, claims that they did not intentionally take a prohibited substance.

Chelsea has stated that they will investigate the reasons behind the unsuccessful test.

"This is incredibly surprising to me, as I've never intentionally used any prohibited substances or violated any regulations. I'm currently collaborating with my team to understand how this situation could have occurred," Mudryk posted on Instagram.

"I believe I haven't done anything wrong and I'm optimistic about returning to the field in the near future."

According to the guidelines set by the FA, football players can face a temporary suspension if they test positive for drugs.

When BBC Sport reached out, the FA declined to provide any information regarding Mudryk's suspension or the timing of the unsuccessful test.

According to FIFA rules, athletes who are caught deliberately using a prohibited substance can face suspensions of up to four years.

Mudryk last took to the field for Chelsea on November 28 and has been absent for the last five games across all competitions.

He was part of the team lineup for the Blues' victory over Aston Villa on December 1, but he did not play in the game.

Head coach Enzo Maresca publicly stated that Mudryk was not available due to health issues.

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from the Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk for a fee that could reach £89 million in 2023, has netted 10 goals in 73 games for the club.

The Professional Footballers' Association is anticipated to reach out to Mudryk to provide assistance.

Before the news of his failed drug test emerged, Mykhailo Mudryk was already facing challenges at Chelsea.

The long-term implications for the winger are still uncertain as the FA continues its investigation. However, this development could hinder any advancements the Ukraine international might be trying to achieve under manager Enzo Maresca.

Since joining Chelsea for up to £89 million from Shakhtar in January 2023, Mudryk has faced challenges, especially after the club managed to sign him despite Arsenal's interest.

The pressure of his price tag, lack of English proficiency, his shy personality, and the experience of working with various coaches - including Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Mauricio Pochettino, and Maresca - have all been mentioned as factors contributing to his difficulties.

Pochettino has pointed out in the past that Mudryk requires some time to adjust.

However, Maresca has indicated that Mudryk has had difficulty grasping tactical concepts, has not been able to position himself correctly, is developing "at a slower pace than others," and needs to enhance his "overall quality," particularly during his only league start against Wolves in August.

Mudryk had to play 24 matches before finding the net for Chelsea. Before scoring against the lesser-known Armenian team FC Noah in November, he had gone without a goal for five months.

It's evident that although he began his journey in several cup tournaments with the Blues this season, he has struggled to adjust to the expectations, skill level, and overall quality necessary.