Mykhailo Mudryk has taken his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after a routine drugs test in late 2024 detected meldonium. The Chelsea winger confirmed in December 2024 that he had tested positive but fervently denied doing so intentionally and vowed to fight the case. Chelsea have offered public support to the player throughout.

The legal process has moved slowly in public view. It emerged in early April that Chelsea had registered an “updated contract” for the 25-year-old, the details of which were not disclosed. Mudryk joined Stamford Bridge in January 2023 in a deal reported as worth up to $108 million (£88.5 million) if all add-ons are triggered.

Sergei Palkin, director of Mudryk’s former employers Shakhtar Donetsk, underlined the commercial stakes. “We have €30 million of bonuses in his contract,” Sergei Palkin, director of Mudryk’s former employers Shakhtar Donetsk, told Ben Jacobs . “If he’s not playing, or Chelsea aren’t reaching results, we are losing €30 million. That’s a big financial impact for us.”

If found guilty the winger faced a ban of up to four years. According to Ben Jacobs, the English Football Association have settled on the maximum punishment. Four-year bans are relatively standard for a failed doping test; Paul Pogba received the same sanction in February 2024 but successfully appealed to CAS and had his suspension reduced to 18 months.

Mudryk has formally appealed and CAS has confirmed receipt. “CAS confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026,” a statement read. “The Parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”

Any eventual suspension is expected to include the 16 months Mudryk has already spent on the sidelines. If he can show a lack of malice, a reduction toward the 18-month mark would likely allow an immediate return. Chelsea will await the CAS verdict before deciding their next steps. Mudryk remains contracted to Chelsea until 2031; if he served the full four-year term, with the current suspension factored in, the latest return date would be December 2028. The broader question is whether there remains a long-term future at Chelsea for the player regardless of the outcome.

Chelsea’s search for a long-term manager narrowed when Francesco Farioli was effectively removed from contention. Asked in public whether he would remain at FC Porto, Farioli faced the question directly: “Your name has been linked with Chelsea,” Farioli was asked. “Can you assure FC Porto fans that you’re staying?” The answer was succinct: “Yes, absolutely.”

That response matters because Porto’s president, André Villas-Boas, has little interest in losing the coach who has steered his club to the brink of a first title in four years. The avenue from Porto to Chelsea has had contrasting outcomes in the past, with José Mourinho delivering major success and André Villas-Boas failing to replicate that at Stamford Bridge.

Internally, Chelsea have twice turned to Calum McFarlane during crises this season. The club’s former U21 coach produced an unexpected 1–1 draw with Manchester City during his first interim spell in January and has since guided the Blues to the FA Cup final. That sequence gives McFarlane a clear short-term case: if he takes maximum points from the club’s four remaining league games and wins the FA Cup, his candidacy for the permanent post will be harder to ignore. The FA Cup final will be McFarlane’s seventh senior game of management.

The wider decision will hinge on more than immediate results. In the wake of Rosenior’s hasty exit, The Guardian reported that the squad viewed the short-lived coach as “too inexperienced.” Rosenior’s résumé included 141 senior games managing Strasbourg and Hull City, but Chelsea’s dressing room reportedly wants a “big character” to match the “big egos” present within the squad. McFarlane’s interim role is widely expected to end this summer.

Chelsea’s recruitment focus may also shift. After a summer dominated by signings of strikers and a previous year of costly central midfield purchases, ownership has suggested 2026 could instead be a year for managerial decisions. Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola have confirmed their availability, while Cesc Fàbregas’s Como bosses have reportedly placed their manager on the market. Fàbregas has downplayed speculation, but his free-flowing, high-pressing possession approach and trophy record make him an intriguing option for a club seeking a modern identity.

Chelsea’s 2025-26 campaign has been defined by apathy and renewed protests, with BlueCo’s ownership the focus of fan ire and co-owner Behdad Eghbali admitting a change of strategy could be in order. Supporters are tired of drift and, regardless of the route the club takes next, there are several squad figures who no longer look part of Chelsea’s long-term plan.

Robert Sánchez has delivered moments of quality, including in the FA Cup semifinal victory over Leeds United, and has produced runs of form that convinced some he might be the long-term option. Statistically he has had a fine Premier League season. However, unforced errors and lapses in possession persist and the article argues he remains upgradeable. “If Mike Maignan is on the table again, you go and get him. There’s no point keeping your current No. 1 around in that event. That’s avoidable tension.” He is probably a Premier League starter elsewhere, but Chelsea have loftier ambitions.

Wesley Fofana was signed for as much as $95 million (£70 million) in 2022 but has yet to justify that fee. Injuries have disrupted his time in west London and, even fit for much of 2025-26, he has struggled with discipline. Trevoh Chalobah has outperformed him and could be Levi Colwill’s partner for 2026–27. Chelsea should consider offers before contract conversations become awkward.

Benoît Badiashile has seldom been a regular starter. The ex-Monaco centre back failed to earn Enzo Maresca’s trust and much of his action was limited to the Conference League last season. A brief upsurge under Liam Rosenior fizzled out and, at 25, he faces a crossroads.

Among the wide players, Pedro Neto offered energy and impressed in the FA Cup but remains part of a collection of wingers described as largely mediocre. Alejandro Garnacho, signed last summer for $54 million (£40 million) on a seven-year deal, has 12 goal contributions this season but has not evolved consistently since his breakthrough and can be frustrating outside transition moments.

Marc Guiu, still only 20, was recalled from a planned 2025–26 loan to Sunderland and has operated as a third-choice centre forward at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea took a flyer on him in 2024. He has produced very little of note and would likely benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.