Former Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi has shared his experience with performance-enhancing substances following reports of Mykhailo Mudryk failing a drug test.
The Ukrainian winger, who joined Chelsea in January 2023, is facing scrutiny after testing positive for banned substances last month.
If found guilty, Mudryk could face a lengthy suspension of up to four years, potentially derailing his career.
Reflecting on the controversy, Mikel Obi, who spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge during the club's most successful period, emphasized the need for athletes to be vigilant about what they consume.
Mikel Obi’s cautionary tale
Speaking on his Obi One podcast, the Pepsi Academy product disclosed how he was once offered performance-enhancing drugs during his time at Chelsea but refused to compromise his integrity.
“For him (Mudryk) and his family, I hope he is innocent,” Mikel said. “I remember when we were playing, if someone is offering me something, I will ask you what it is.
“I’m responsible for what I put in my body, what I eat, and stuff like that. People around will offer you stuff－friends, friends of friends－they will tell you that this will give you this or it will give you one or two more percent in your performances, and I’m like what is this? Is this legal?
“I tell them to go away, I don’t want to talk about it. We have to take responsibility for our actions and what we eat. But for now, Mudryk is innocent until proven guilty.”
Mikel Obi’s comments underline the pressures professional athletes face to seek marginal gains in their performances, often at great personal and ethical risk.
A four-year ban would make Mudryk the first Chelsea player in a long time to be found guilty of doping. It could also mark the premature end of a career that promised so much.
