Enzo Maresca says he believes Mykhailo Murdyk’s protestations of innocence over his positive doping test and does not think the situation will be the end of the Ukrainian’s Chelsea career.
Mudryk tested positive for the banned substance meldonium after playing for Ukraine last month and is facing a lengthy ban if the Football Association go on to charge him with an anti-doping rule violation.
The 23-year-old released a statement on Tuesday saying he was in “complete shock” and insisted he had never “knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules”.
Maresca, who reached out to Mudryk a few days ago on learning about the situation, is standing by his player’s version of events. He said: “We support and we trust Misha. Trust means that we believe Misha, we trust Misha and we support him.”
A player found guilty of doping can be banned for up to four years. Maresca is convinced Mudryk, who is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2030, can recover from this setback regardless.
Pressed on whether this could be the end of his career, Chelsea’s head coach added: “I don’t think so. I don’t think so. I think he’s going to come back. Now the only thing is that we don’t know when. It’s the only doubt we have in this moment but for sure he’s going to come back.”
Defender Tosin Adarabioyo revealed what happened to Mudryk has stunned the squad but says it will not disrupt their season. Chelsea have won their last seven matches and sit second in the Premier League.
He said: “It was news to all of us, we all found out at the same time as you guys. We still support Misha and hopefully, things will get sorted. There is not much we can do in this situation. It is out of our hands, but Misha is part of our family and we are here to support him.
“It is a very unfortunate situation but we are all professionals, we know that once we get on that pitch we have business to do and that is our main focus.”
Maresca has not ruled out the possibility of Chelsea finding a replacement for Mudryk in January should the worst-case scenario play out.
Tyrique George, 18, has made seven appearances for the senior side and his best position is on the left wing where Mudryk is often selected.
Maresca said: “We now have four games before January. We have Everton, Fulham and Ipswich (in the Premier League). So then after these three games we are going to sit and we are going to decide if we need to do something.
“For sure, Tyrique is going to get minutes and we are going to try to help him to improve day by day because now he’s working with us every day.”
(Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
