Forgotten £89m Chelsea misfit shows off new look in rare picture

View 2 Images

Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has ditched his blond locks, with the Ukraine international snapped with his new look while his Premier League absence continues. Mudryk hasn't played for the best part of a year as he awaits a verdict on a potential ban following a failed doping test.

Mudryk acknowledged in December 2024 that he had tested positive for a banned substance . "This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened," he said at the time.

The winger, who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 in a deal worth up to £89million, last played for the Blues in a Conference League victory over Hedenheim in November 2024. He last featured in a Premier League matchday squad on December 1 last year, when he was an unused substitute for Chelsea's match against Aston Villa .

Serhii Palkin, CEO of Mudryk's former club Shakhtar , shared a photo on social media in which the 24-year-old can be seen with his new dark brown locks. The photo was taken at a meeting about an upcoming film, focusing on the decorated football club and the war in Ukraine.

Former Shakhtar manager Igor Jovicevic was among the others pictured. The Croatian boss was in charge of the Ukrainian side in the 2022/23 season, when they sold Mudryk to Chelsea , and is now managing in Poland.

A few fans spotted that, in addition to the new haircut, Mudryk is wearing Chelsea gear in the photo. "He still loves Chelsea," wrote one, with another holding out hope for the big-money signing being able to return to action soon.

"Still repping, Chels, I want to be in the universe where it all worked out," wrote a third. "He's so Chels it hurts" was the reaction from another upon noticing the club badge.

View 2 Images

Mudryk was in Poland when Chelsea won last season's Conference League final, and spoke with manager Enzo Maresca at the time. Since then, though, the club have welcomed new wingers Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens while giving Mudryk's old No.10 shirt to Cole Palmer.

“I spoke with Mischa in Poland when we played the Conference League Final," Maresca said in June "We haven't spoken since. There is nothing I can add. I don't have more information. Mischa is a Chelsea player. Until he is not, I will trust. It's not just about Mischa. It's in general with all the players.”

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.