Chelsea could be spared a €30 million payment to Shakhtar Donetsk as a result of Mykhailo Mudryk's ongoing doping suspension, according to the Ukrainian club's chief executive. The 25-year-old winger has not played a competitive match since late 2024 after being provisionally suspended by the Football Association following a failed drug test. A final ruling on the case, which could carry a ban of up to four years, has yet to be announced.
Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin confirmed the significant bonus clause in Mudryk's transfer agreement in comments to journalist Ben Jacobs. Palkin stated that the €30 million in bonuses, owed to Shakhtar based on Mudryk's performance and Chelsea's results, would not be payable if the player remains inactive. "If he's not playing, or Chelsea aren't reaching results, we are losing €30m," Palkin said. He expressed hope for a swift and positive resolution, but acknowledged the financial impact a prolonged absence would have on his club.
For Chelsea, the potential saving arrives amid significant financial pressures, with the club having posted substantial losses in recent years and needing to remain compliant with Premier League and UEFA financial regulations. Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar in January 2023 for a fee reported to be around €70 million, but he struggled to justify that price tag during his first 18 months at Stamford Bridge. His contract runs until 2031.
The FA confirmed last summer that Mudryk had been formally charged with a doping offence, but the confidential nature of the proceedings has meant few updates have been made public. While awaiting the verdict, Mudryk has maintained individual fitness training. His time away from the pitch has been punctuated by off-field incidents, including a driving ban and a suspension from an online gaming platform.
Palkin revealed that Mudryk has even taken a lie detector test in an effort to prove his innocence. "Everybody believes this story will finish as soon as possible with a positive result, and Mudryk will return to playing," he said. However, he admitted there is no clarity on when a final decision will be issued by the relevant sporting tribunal.
Should Mudryk receive a lengthy ban, Chelsea may explore terminating his contract, following the precedent set by Juventus after Paul Pogba's doping suspension. For now, the situation remains in limbo, with Chelsea potentially benefiting financially from a player's absence while Shakhtar faces a major financial setback. The outcome hinges entirely on the yet-to-be-delivered verdict from football's anti-doping authorities.
