Chelsea makes clear decision to reassign Mykhailo Mudryk’s iconic shirt number while he faces suspension in the Premier League

Chelsea’s ongoing saga with Mykhailo Mudryk has taken a new twist as the club has decided to strip the Ukrainian winger of the iconic No. 10 shirt.

This move comes while Mudryk remains suspended following his failed drugs test earlier this season.

Mudryk’s Absence Since Last Year

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk for a hefty £89 million, hasn’t stepped onto the pitch for the Blues since November.

That was when he tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance, leading to his provisional suspension.

Since then, Mudryk’s presence in the squad has been minimal, and now the club has confirmed Cole Palmer will take over the No. 10 jersey starting with the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

The official announcement from Chelsea notably made no mention of Mudryk, signaling a clear shift in focus.

Palmer Takes the No. 10 Shirt for Chelsea’s New Campaign

Cole Palmer, who has worn the No. 20 shirt since joining from Manchester City in September 2023, will be the new wearer of the famous No. 10.

Chelsea fans can expect to see Palmer debut in the number when the Blues face Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on June 16.

Chelsea also reminded supporters that squad numbers for the 2025/26 season aren’t finalized yet and could change once the summer transfer window closes.

Meanwhile, Mudryk is likely to be assigned a different number before the new season kicks off.

Mudryk’s Rare Public Appearance and Support for Chelsea

Despite the controversy, Mudryk was recently spotted in Poland supporting his Chelsea teammates during their Conference League final.

He was seen celebrating with the squad after a commanding 4-1 win over Real Betis, even receiving a winner’s medal for his contributions earlier in the tournament.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said he was unaware Mudryk was in the country during the pre-match press conference, making the winger’s presence somewhat unexpected.

Mudryk’s Response to His Suspension

Since the news of his positive test broke in December, Mudryk has kept a low profile but issued a heartfelt statement denying any wrongdoing.

He insisted he never knowingly took banned substances and said he was cooperating fully with investigations.

“I know I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful I will be back on the pitch soon,” Mudryk wrote on Instagram, while emphasizing he couldn’t share more due to confidentiality rules.

Quiet Months Followed by Social Media Breakthrough

After his suspension announcement, Mudryk kept quiet on social media for several months.

However, he finally broke his silence in April with a brief, emotional response under a Chelsea post celebrating a past victory against Fulham — simply posting a sad emoji with a single tear.

Meanwhile, Mudryk made headlines for attending Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight boxing rematch against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia, showing support for his fellow Ukrainian.

What’s Next for Chelsea and Mudryk?

Mudryk’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain as the club moves forward with Palmer now wearing the No. 10.

Fans will be watching closely to see if the winger returns to the squad and what role he might play once his suspension is resolved.