'Positive test threatens any progress Mudryk has made at Chelsea'

Mykhailo Mudryk was already struggling at Chelsea before the results of his failed drugs test came to light.

It remains unclear what the outcome will be as the Football Association goes through its process after an "adverse finding from a urine test".

But this threatens any progress the Ukraine international - who denies any wrongdoing and has expressed his "complete shock" - is attempting to make under manager Enzo Maresca.

Mudryk has struggled since his move to the Blues - worth up to £89m - from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, which was secured from under the noses of rivals Arsenal.

The weight of the price tag, not being fluent in English, his introverted character and numerous managers - including Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca - have all been cited as reasons for his struggles.

Pochettino previously highlighted how Mudryk needed time to adapt slowly.

But Maresca has further elaborated that he has struggled to take on tactical ideas, explaining how he has struggled to arrive in the right positions, how he is progressing "slower than others" and outlined how he simply needed to improve his "quality" after his solitary league start against Wolves in August.

It took him 24 games to score Mudryk to score his first goal for the club and - until his goal against Armenian minnows FC Noah in November - he had gone on another five month goal drought.

Despite starting in various cup competitions for Chelsea, it is clear he has found it difficult to adapt to the culture, level and quality required.