Chelsea Considers Loan Options for Mykhailo Mudryk

Chelsea are working on a loan move for Mykhailo Mudryk as the winger tries to restart a career that has been on hold for almost two years.

The 25-year-old has not played a competitive match since November 2024, his progress halted by a four-year suspension after an adverse finding for the banned substance meldonium. That case has now been resolved by agreement, clearing the way for his return, but leaving a gaping hole in his match fitness and sharpness.

Chelsea have eased him back in during pre-season, handing him substitute minutes in friendlies against Juventus, AC Milan and Johor Darul Ta'zim on their tour of Asia. The cameos were tentative steps, not a full rebirth, and inside the club there is a clear acceptance that he needs regular, meaningful football rather than sporadic run-outs at Stamford Bridge.

The pressure on that decision grew during the closing days of the tour. In end-of-trip meetings, Mudryk agreed that a loan before the 1 September transfer deadline offers the best route to rebuilding his career and rhythm. Chelsea, who invested an initial £61m to sign him from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 and tied him to a contract running until 2031, are now sifting through options.

One obvious path lies within the club’s own ownership structure. A switch to Strasbourg, part of the same BlueCo network as Chelsea, has been floated and would give the French side a high-upside winger while keeping him under close organisational control.

Mudryk, though, has his own priorities. He would rather stay in the Premier League and test himself again in the English top flight, believing that a successful spell there would carry more weight when he returns to fight for a place in Chelsea’s attack.

That stance has opened the door to talks with other sides. Several clubs have registered interest, including leading teams in Italy, who see both a reclamation project and a potential bargain if Mudryk can rediscover the explosive form that first drew Chelsea to him.

For now, the picture is clear: Chelsea want him playing, Mudryk wants a stage big enough to matter, and the clock is ticking towards 1 September. The next move will say plenty about how seriously the club – and the market – believe in his second act.