frank lampard
Frank Lampard appears to be playing an important role in Coventry City's efforts to sign a Chelsea outcast looking to get his career back on track.
The Sky Blues have been busy strengthening Lampard's squad ahead of their first season back in the Premier League. Their transfer business will exceed the £100 million mark once deals for Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi (£17m) and Fenerbahce's Sidiki Cherif (£20.5m) are made official.
Lampard is tasked with keeping the West Midlands outfit in the top flight and could look to Sunderland as an example of exceeding expectations. His two spells in the Stamford Bridge dugout could prove beneficial as his current employers plot a move for one of the league's most controversial wingers.
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Coventry Get Serious For Chelsea's Mudryk
Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk via REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Chelsea are prepared to send Mykhailo Mudryk out on loan to give the Ukrainian winger regular first-team football after he returned to the sport. He hasn't played a competitive match since November 2024 after being hit with a lengthy doping ban which initially had been set to last until 2028.
Mudryk is back after his doping case was resolved, but his chances of game time under Xabi Alonso are slim given the arrival of Morgan Rogers. The Blues still believe he has a future at Stamford Bridge and don't view a proposed loan move as a permanent departure.
According to TEAMtalk, Coventry have emerged as "serious contenders" to sign Mudryk on loan. The Sky Blues are pushing to reunite the 25-year-old with his former manager Lampard and could help him regain form at a crossroads in his career.
Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for £88.5m and had been expected to become a top talent in West London. The Blues beat Arsenal to his signature, which speaks volumes of the level of interest in him at the time.
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Mudryk (Premier League 2025-26)
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Putting aside his doping ban, Mudryk has faltered in England, struggling to live up to his hefty price tag. But there have been glimpses of promise and the chance to play a prominent role under Lampard at the CBS Arena.
Chelsea are believed to prefer the Ukrainian to stay in the Premier League despite interest from clubs abroad. They have also liked what they've seen from Coventry and their growth under Lampard, who, of course, holds a strong relationship with the club.
Lampard Clearly Wants 'Compulsive Finisher' Mudryk
REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Mudryk might not have impressed on the pitch during his time in the Premier League but he earned a glowing endorsement from Lampard for his performance in training. The Coventry boss coached the pacey winger during his second stint in charge at Stamford Bridge, making eight appearances.
Lampard delved into the Ukrainian's playing style when appearing on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football back in October 2023:
Coventry transfer targets
Mykhailo Mudryk - Leading loan race
Taiwo Awoniyi - £17m deal agreed
Sidiki Cherif - £20.5m deal agreed
Fikayo Tomori - Interest in AC Milan defender
Frank Lampard celebrates Coventry City Championship win
Frank Lampard celebrates Coventry City Championship win
Lampard even revealed that Everton were interested in signing Mudryk before he joined Chelsea during his time managing the Toffees. It's clear he still holds a lot of admiration for a player desperately in need of a reboot, which could come with the newly-promoted Premier League side.