Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has expressed interest in reuniting with Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk following the player's recent clearance to return to competitive football. Lampard, who briefly coached Mudryk during his caretaker tenure at Chelsea in 2023, may face competition from several Premier League clubs keen on securing the services of the 25-year-old Ukrainian.
Mudryk was initially handed a four-year suspension by the Football Association in 2024 after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. However, subsequent changes to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s procedures mean that under current regulations, the same test result would no longer warrant such charges. Mudryk challenged the ban through an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and has not participated in a competitive match since November 2024.
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Mudryk’s immediate future, emphasizing the need to assess the player’s fitness and readiness for regular match involvement. Alonso commented that it remains too soon to make a definitive decision about Mudryk’s role in the squad. Currently, Mudryk is with the Chelsea team in Hong Kong for the second leg of their pre-season tour, offering an opportunity for fitness evaluation.
Multiple Premier League clubs have approached Chelsea to inquire about Mudryk’s availability, with Coventry among those reportedly interested. Despite this interest, the club’s official stance remains cautious as they continue to monitor Mudryk’s condition and potential contribution on the pitch.
In a related development, Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is set to join Serie A side Como in a transfer reportedly valued at £25.7 million. As a product of Chelsea’s academy, this deal is expected to be recorded as a pure profit for the club.
Mudryk’s situation highlights ongoing complexities around anti-doping regulations and player rehabilitation, as well as the competitive dynamics in the transfer market ahead of the new Premier League season.