Enzo Maresca reveals if Chelsea will sign a replacement for Mykhailo Mudryk after Ukraine winger's doping charge amid links with Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro

Mudryk has been charged by the FA over an anti-doping breach and remains provisionally suspended, facing a possible lengthy ban. Chelsea boss Maresca has now addressed the situation, making it clear that the winger’s future won't affect the Blues' transfer plans this summer as they continue to be linked with Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Brighton’s Joao Pedro, signalling their intent to reinforce out wide.

Speaking to the media, Maresca said: "We had already one entire season almost without Misha last season. We tried to find different solutions with some of the academy players like Tyrique [George].

"But we're going to decide to go for a winger, not because of Misha. If Misha comes back, we don't go, or if Misha comes back, we don't? No. In both cases, I think even here you see we have [Noni] Madueke and [Pedro] Neto as proper wingers. And then we try to adapt Tariq, the other day he was inside for some minutes.

"And we try to adapt different players during the season. Christo [Nkunku] or Kieran [Dewsbury-Hall] but for sure it's something quite clear that it's a position that we need to improve."

Chelsea have been hot in the chase for Dortmund's Gittens, and had been looking to sign the England U21 winger ahead of the Club World Cup. However, after seeing two bids rejected by Die Schwargelben, they have now decided to reserve their chase for after the tournament. Meanwhile, new reports have suggested that the West London side may also go for Brighton's Pedro this summer.

Chelsea are actively exploring winger options regardless of Mudryk’s legal battle. A final decision on his suspension is pending, but the Blues’ transfer strategy is firmly moving forward, with or without him.