Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca said he still maintained trust in Mykhailo Mudryk after the Ukrainian winger was charged by England’s Football Association with violating anti-doping rules, but confirmed the club were looking to strengthen in his position.

“‘Mischa’ is a Chelsea player. As long as he is a Chelsea player, I will trust all the Chelsea players,” Maresca told reporters in Philadelphia.

Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since November 28 following his provisional suspension by the FA for an “adverse finding in a routine urine test” in December.

He could face a potential ban of up to four years under FA rules.

Mudryk is not with the Chelsea squad for the tournament in the United States and Maresca said he has had no contact with the player since the UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis in Poland late last month.

“The last time I spoke with ‘Mischa’ was in Poland and he was quite good.

“Since that day I have not spoken with him so I don’t know how he is now but for sure in the next days, in the next weeks, we are going to have contact with him.”

Mudryk was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for 100 million euros ($115m) but his time at Chelsea has been dogged by inconsistency.

He has scored just 10 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.

© Agence France-Presse

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