A transfer that has not gone as planned, Mykhailo Mudryk's status at Chelsea is once again in doubt, as Cole Palmer has taken his shirt number ahead of the start of next season.

The Ukrainian winger has faced a tough time since moving to the English Premier League club in a €100 million deal from Shakhtar Donetsk during the winter window of 2023.

Two-and-a-half years on, he has struggled to justify his hefty price tag. In 53 Premier League games, Mudryk managed just five goals and four assists, averaging a very low 0.17 goal contributions per 90 minutes.

A move initially seen as a major coup for Chelsea, beating off competition from Arsenal to sign one of Europe’s most promising young wingers. However, he has struggled to find consistency in his performances and has often looked short of confidence and conviction on the pitch.

Despite flashes of his pace and dribbling ability, he has yet to become a regular starter or find a settled role in the team. Even with different managers, the winger has failed to convince.

The club's decision to give the #10 shirt to a more deserving player in Cole Palmer ahead of next season casts further doubts on the Ukrainian’s future as they prepare for another campaign in the Premier League, which would be in his absence.

The 24-year-old, who in his first full season at Chelsea in 2023-24, scored five in 41 appearances across all competitions, turning up another two assists, numbers considered underwhelming for a priced winger.

His impressive Conference League run this season briefly restored some faith in him at the club, as he showcased the form that once made him a highly sought-after prospect.

However, the provisional suspension halted his momentum and disrupted his rhythm. That setback has further cast a shadow over his future, with doubts growing about whether he can ever recapture his spark and truly stake his claim at Chelsea.

Where Is Mykailo Mudryk?

Mykailo Mudryk has remained on the sidelines since he was provisionally suspended in December 2024 after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium during international duty.

Despite pleading his innocence, he has found himself stuck in a state of limbo, waiting anxiously for the results of his B-sample. If the test comes back positive, it could result in a potential four-year ban, effectively ending any hopes of a fresh start at Chelsea or elsewhere in the top level.

This situation has left the Ukrainian in a precarious position, both professionally and personally, as he battles to clear his name and salvage what’s left of his promising career.

Who Is Chelsea Number 10?

Cole Palmer has taken over the No.10 shirt at Chelsea, a move that is nothing but a well-deserved reward for his contribution to the team. Despite Mykailo Mudryk’s contract being tied to the club until the summer of 2031, he has been unable to secure his place in the starting eleven.

Mudryk had taken the number 10 shirt at the start of the 2024-25 season, following Christian Pulisic’s departure to AC Milan in the summer.

While the former Shakhtar Donetsk man showed flashes of promise, scoring three goals and providing four assists in just seven starts across all competitions, only one of these starts came in the Premier League. He also featured as a substitute in six other league matches, indicating that his impact remained limited.

In the meantime, the club has no choice but to move forward without him, with Cole Palmer even taking over his shirt number. Mudryk, once hailed as a bright spark and a player for the future, now faces the harsh reality of being on the outside looking in.

His provisional suspension led to the removal of the coveted number 10 shirt, a jersey he arguably never truly deserved to begin with.

Once worn by club legends like Eden Hazard, Willian, and Juan Mata, the number 10 carries a heavy legacy that Mudryk has so far failed to uphold.

His underwhelming performances and off-field troubles have seen his reputation at the club suffer, as fans are left disappointed by his inability to live up to the shirt’s storied history.

Cole Palmer, who has proven himself as a superstar, will now continue the dynasty in the future, and for Chelsea and fans, it couldn't be more deserved.

When Will Mykailo Mudryk Return From Suspension?

Mykailo Mudryk's return date is unknown, and it depends on the result of the ongoing investigation into his failed drug test. Until the results of his B-sample become available, he will not be eligible to play.

What Next For Mykailo Mudryk?

With a contract tied to the club until 2031, the Ukrainian winger faces an uncertain future if the four-year ban for doping takes effect. Chelsea could be forced to exercise the right that allows them to terminate the contract as Mudryk has breached anti-doping rules, leading to a lengthy suspension.

If Mudryk’s B-sample confirms the initial positive test, his time at Stamford Bridge may be cut short, despite the initial excitement around his €100 million signing. At just 24, he risks seeing the prime years of his career slip away.