Chelsea make Mykhailo Mudryk 'transfer decision' after ban overturned

Chelsea are planning to send Mykhailo Mudryk out on loan for the upcoming season in search of regular first-team football.

The 25-year-old has now been cleared of any wrongdoing following an appeal after he was given a four-year ban from the Premier League for breaching anti-doping rules.

However, he has not played a competitive game since December 2024, and is nowhere near ready to make a return as part of Xabi Alonso's plans at Stamford Bridge.

Instead, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Chelsea have a "clear plan" for Mudryk to spend the season out on loan at a high level.

Despite his lack of involvement in recent seasons, and previous concerns about his consistency, the club still regognise that he has the talent to succeed in the Premier League.

Following his return from loan, ideally next summer, Alonso will once again assess the Ukraine international before deciding on their next steps for his involvement.

What is next for Mykhaylo Mudryk at Chelsea?

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider in May that Mudryk could see his ban reduced by the FA, with the original sanction seen as extremely harsh.

Having now had that ban completely removed, and with the winger now available to begin playing competitive football immediately, Chelsea are now putting plans in place.

They hope the Ukraine international will enjoy a successful period out on loan, where he can get back to full fitness and play a key role, before returning to Chelsea next year.

"Chelsea have got a pretty clear pathway for Mudryk to return," Brown told Football Insider.

"I must admit, even when he was available for Chelsea, I wasn't especially convinced by his consistency or end product, and that looked like it would be a concern.

"But it appears they believe in him, they see the talent that he has got, and they're now looking to send him out on loan to try and unlock that.

"The biggest thing for him is he hasn't played football in about two years, so he needs to get back up to full fitness, and the only way to do that is by playing regularly.

"Chelsea ideally would like him to go on loan, have success wherever he ends up as a regular part of the team, and then when he returns next year they can go from there.

"He's certainly not going to be part of their first-team plans this year, so the opportunity will be there for him to spend the season on loan."

Which clubs are interested in signing Mudryk?

Following his return from a lengthy ban, there is believed to be no shortage of interest in Mudryk, who remains very regarded within the game.

Chelsea paid out a huge fee of around £90million to lure the winger to West London in 2023, beating Arsenal to the deal, with the Gunners also prepared to pay big money.

His absence in recent years has done little to harm his reputation, though, as he has a number of admirers not just in the Premier League but also across Europe.

Since it was announced that he would be available to play this season, the likes of Coventry City, Sevilla and Bayern Leverkusen have all been linked with a move.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg have been heavily tipped as an ideal destination for the winger given the relationship between the clubs and the ease of a deal.