- Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has tested positive for doping, with the club and player cooperating with authorities to determine the cause
- Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and the players support Mudryk, believing him to be innocent and expecting him to return to the team
- Maresca does not think Mudryk’s Chelsea career is over, but the timeline for his return is uncertain
- Chelsea has extended the contract of academy graduate Josh Acheampong until 2029
Key Takeaways:
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his support for winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who has recently tested positive for doping. The club has released a statement confirming the adverse finding and stating that both the club and Mudryk will work with authorities to determine the cause. Maresca emphasized that the situation is now clearer, with the club’s statement providing the necessary information.
Maresca and the Chelsea players are standing behind Mudryk, believing him to be innocent and expecting him to return to the team. “We all believe Mudryk is innocent. For sure he will come back” Maresca said. “I don’t think Misha’s Chelsea career is over. I think he will come back. We don’t know when, that is the only doubt we have in this moment. But for sure, he will be back.”
Josh Acheampong has signed a new contract until 2029.
Congratulations on your new deal, Josh! 🙌
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 18, 2024
In other news, Chelsea has extended the contract of academy graduate Josh Acheampong until 2029. The 18-year-old right-back has been part of Chelsea’s academy since before the age of 8 and has already made his league debut. Although he is yet to feature in the Premier League this season, Acheampong has played in the Carabao Cup and started in a recent UEFA Conference League match against Astana.