Premier League interest spikes as Chelsea’s Mudryk returns

Chelsea have received multiple approaches about Mykhailo Mudryk from clubs following the news of his return to football – including three Premier League clubs – after his doping case was resolved. The story was reported by KIERAN GILL, MAIL SPORT REPORTER, and published at 10:37 BST on 3 August 2026, with an update at 10:47 BST the same day.

Coventry City are believed to be among the interested parties, with manager Frank Lampard recalling his work with Mudryk at Stamford Bridge in 2023. Sources told Sport that the club’s enquiry is part of a broader Premier League interest.

All options remain open for the 25‑year‑old Ukrainian, including a possible loan move to Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club in France’s Ligue 1, which would keep him under the BlueCo umbrella. The loan scenario is one of several pathways the club is weighing.

Chelsea plan to have Mudryk assessed by head coach Xabi Alonso, who has taken him to Hong Kong for the squad’s pre‑season tour. The player will train with the team there as part of the evaluation process.

The Blues want to gauge his current performance levels, noting his last competitive appearance came in a Conference League win away at Heidenheim in November 2024, where he scored before the doping suspension took effect. That match marked his final involvement in senior football before the ban.

Mudryk’s doping issue was resolved after the World Anti‑Doping Agency raised the meldonium reporting threshold from 120 % to 150 %, meaning a contemporary test would not have triggered a violation. He has now reached a settlement with WADA and the Football Association, ending a suspension described by sources as long and lonely, during which he trained almost daily at Uxbridge’s non‑League pitch with a private trainer.

Chelsea paid £89 million to sign Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, reflecting the high expectations placed on his talent. The club has remained sympathetic to his claims of innocence throughout the episode.

The pre‑season schedule includes a friendly against Juventus in Hong Kong, further games in Indonesia and Malaysia, and a home match against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge. If deemed ready, Mudryk could make his first appearance at the Bridge since facing Arsenal in November 2024.