When Mykhailo Mudryk arrived at Chelsea in early 2023, the move felt like a statement. The fee, which could rise to around €100 million, and a long-term deal showed how highly the club rated him. There was real excitement around what he could become in the Premier League. That excitement didn’t last long.
There were moments early on where his pace and direct style stood out, but they were inconsistent. He never quite found rhythm, and with Chelsea constantly changing direction on and off the pitch, it became harder for him to settle. As time passed, he went from being a key prospect to someone trying to hold onto a place in the squad. Then things took a more serious turn.
In late 2024, Mudryk failed a routine doping test. The substance involved was meldonium, which is banned because of its effects on endurance and recovery. He was provisionally suspended in December, and that was the last time he was involved in competitive football.
The case dragged on, but the outcome was eventually clear. In 2026, he was handed a four-year ban. That means he could be out of the game until around 2028 if the decision stands. By then, he will have spent close to two full years already without playing.
Mudryk has said he did not knowingly take any banned substance and has taken his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Chelsea have supported him publicly, but the situation remains unresolved. Even if the ban is reduced, the gap in his career is already significant.
🔸 Signed for €100M.
🔸 Handed a 7-year deal worth £100,000 per week.
🔸 Hasn’t played in the last 2 years.
🔸 Now banned for 4 years.
🔸 Will still have 1 year left on his Chelsea contract after the ban ends.Mykhailo Mudryk is without doubt the WORST signing in Premier League… pic.twitter.com/NcVi2WXOdr
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 30, 2026
Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk labeled Premier Leagues worst signing
Looking at it now, the numbers and circumstances make this a difficult deal to defend. Chelsea committed a huge fee and a long contract, expecting development and impact over time. Instead, they have a player who has barely influenced results and is now unavailable for years.
What makes it more unusual is that when the ban ends, he is still expected to have about a year left on his contract. That leaves the club with a decision to make on a player who has been out of the game for a long stretch.
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Whether it is fair to call it the worst signing in Premier League history is open to debate, but it is certainly one of the most complicated. What started as a move full of promise has turned into a situation filled with uncertainty, and it’s hard to see a clear path forward from here.
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