Mykhailo Mudryk's trip to Saudi Arabia for Oleksandr Usyk's boxing victory against Tyson Fury defended by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca with 'disconnect' explanation made amid doping scandal

The Ukrainian winger travelled to the Middle East nation to watch his compatriot Usyk beat Fury in the heavyweight title fight on Saturday. His voyage to Riyadh came just days after he was provisionally suspended for failing a doping test, with the 23-year-old waiting to learn his fate depending on the results from another sample.

Mudryk has missed eight games in a row for the Blues and head coach Maresca was asked for his thoughts on his decision to make the trip, but the Italian has said he has no problem with the ex-Shakhtar star's journey.

He told reporters: "In this moment, it’s also good he can disconnect a little bit from the situation. The last time I spoke with him, we tried to support him. Now we are just waiting."

Mudryk's absence will continue for the time being and the Blues will have to do without him for their match against Fulham on December 26. Maresca's team are second in the table and four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.