Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has suggested that Mkyhailo Mudryk's doping ban could be a blessing in disguise for another of the club's players. The Blues confirmed earlier this week that Mudryk had tested positive for banned substance during a "routine urine test." As a result, the Ukraine winger has been provisionally banned from football while he awaits the results of further tests. Should they return the same result, he could be exiled from the sport for up to four years.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Maresca fielded countless questions about the situation, including about how the club plans to support Mudryk, and how he thinks it could impact the 23-year-old's career. The Italian coach was also asked what Mudryk's ban could mean for young winger Tyrique George. The 18-year-old, who plays in the same position as Mudryk, has made a handful of appearances for the Blues this season in their cup competitions, but has yet to feature in the Premier League.
"Could [Mudryk's ban] represent a big opportunity for Tyrique George?" Maresca was asked by one reporter. He replied: “We have now three or four games before January. We have Everton, Fulham and Ipswich, then after these three games we are going to sit and we are going to decide if we need to do something."
"For sure Tyrique is going to get minutes and we are going to try to help him to improve day by day," he added.
What did Mudryk test positive for?
Soon after the release of Chelsea's statement about Mudryk, The Athletic reported that the banned substance the Ukrainian had tested positive for was meldonium – an anti-ischemia medication that increases blood flow to the heart.
It is typically used to treat conditions such as angina, but for athletes, it can assist with endurance. Former Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova was banned for two years back in 2016 after also testing positive for the substance.
In an Instagram post shared earlier this week, Mudryk denied any wrongdoing.
"This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened," he wrote.
"I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon."
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