Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has said he and the club have full confidence in Mikael Mudric after he was found to have breached doping rules.

The 23-year-old has failed a drugs test - which is routinely carried out by the FA - and has been banned by the club.

An investigation is underway to determine the source of Mudric's negative results.

The player himself has said that he has never knowingly taken stimulants.

Speaking about it, Maresca said: "We believe in Michael and we support Michael and trust means we believe in Michael, we believe in Michael."

"What Michael said and what we said is that we believe in him and we support him.

🚨🔵 Maresca: "We all support Misha Mudrik"

"The situation is a bit unclear. We have a statement from the club that already says what we have to say.

"So there is nothing to add. All the players in the training ground support and believe in Mischa. pic.twitter.com/mCj36I0r81

- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 18, 2024

"First of all, these kinds of things happen not only to young players, but to experienced players.

"It's been my duty since we started because I like it that way, to try to have a close relationship with the players.

“It's exactly the same with Mudric and I'm here to help him with anything he needs. At the moment it's normal that he needs help from the club, me and his teammates and we're all trying to support him.

An innocent man

Mudric hasn't seen many Premier League minutes this season, but has been used in cup competitions.

Chelsea are set to begin their Europa League game against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.

Asked if he believed Mudric was innocent, he added: "We all believe so, and then we'll see."

"I think he'll be back. The only thing is we don't know when, that's the only doubt we have at the moment. He's definitely going to be back.

"It's not about Michael, every player in the world needs support if something like this happens.

We support Misha (Mudrik) and we believe

Enzo Maresca's suspension of Mykhailo Mudryk after a negative finding in a routine urinalysis. pic.twitter.com/KtMfA8CA2s

- Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 18, 2024

"Whether you are 20 or 30 or English or Italian or Ukrainian - when things like this happen, I need support, they need support, they need support - we all need support.

“It's not about Michael, his age or his country. We all need support when things like this happen.

“Especially in the last game he was improving a lot. He has begun to understand where he should stay.

"In the beginning he was moving and running a lot because of his ability, but he's been improving a lot in the last two or three games and we've been really happy with him. In terms of where he could be in one, two or three years. I don't know.

"The talent we see on the training field is sometimes the same as what you see in the game. It's exactly the same feeling with Mykhailo. In the training session, it's the same as in the game.