Due to the penalty, the €100 million midfielder immediately 'packed his bags' and left Chelsea.

After a long suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, the expensive midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk is preparing to leave Chelsea and join RC Strasbourg to salvage his career, which is on the brink.

Mykhailo Mudryk may soon close a forgettable chapter in his career at Chelsea, as multiple sources from France indicate that the Ukrainian player is likely to join RC Strasbourg soon. This deal is seen as a crucial step for the attacking midfielder, once valued at nearly €100 million, to regain his form after a long period away from the pitch.

According to L'Equipe, Strasbourg is emerging as the most likely destination for Mudryk. The Ligue 1 club has a strong connection with Chelsea, as both are owned by the BlueCo group. This factor makes negotiations between the two clubs smoother, especially since Strasbourg often serves as a place for Chelsea players to gain more playing opportunities.

Mudryk joined Chelsea in early 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk with an initial transfer fee of around €70 million, a figure that could rise to nearly €100 million depending on additional clauses. Upon arriving at Stamford Bridge, the 2001-born player was expected to become one of the team's top attacking stars.

However, Mudryk's career at Chelsea was severely disrupted by a doping scandal. In October 2024, his urine sample tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance in sports. The incident quickly led to the player's suspension to facilitate the investigation process.

By June 2025, the English Football Association formally charged Mudryk with violating anti-doping regulations. If found guilty, the 25-year-old midfielder could face a suspension of up to four years. However, Mudryk has consistently denied all allegations and insisted he never intentionally used banned substances.

On social media, the Ukrainian player once shared that the positive test result completely surprised him. While awaiting the final verdict, Mudryk mainly engaged in individual training to maintain his fitness and avoid media attention.

His rare recent public appearance was during Chelsea's celebration of the 2024/25 Europa Conference League championship in Poland. Additionally, the player posted some training videos at the semi-professional club Uxbridge's facilities to keep up his form.

In this context, Strasbourg is considered a suitable environment for Mudryk to restart his career if he is allowed to return to play. The Alsace-based club is seeking quality additions to its attack and believes the Ukrainian player's speed and explosive ability could enhance their offensive strength.

If the deal is completed, Mudryk will have the opportunity to start anew in Ligue 1. An impressive performance in France could help him gradually salvage his career and prove his worth after the major setbacks he has faced recently.