Tottenham in talks to sign Mykhailo Mudryk on a season-long loan Tottenham Hotspur is currently engaged in discussions to secure a season-long loan deal for Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who has been linked with the club after resolving a lengthy doping case with the Football Association. The 25-year-old, who previously joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for an initial £61 million, has expressed a strong desire to return to the Premier League following his reinstatement as a competitive player. Mudryk’s potential move to north London comes after he was provisionally suspended in October 2024 following an adverse finding for the banned substance meldonium in an out-of-competition test during international duty with Ukraine. The Football Association initially imposed a maximum four-year ban, but Mudryk contested the decision, appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). After a protracted legal process, the FA announced on 31 July 2025 that anti-doping disciplinary proceedings had been resolved, allowing Mudryk to return to competition "with immediate effect." The player accepted responsibility for violating anti-doping rules and agreed to a suspension equivalent to the time already served, effectively ending his ban. Mudryk, who has consistently denied knowingly using banned substances, described the resolution of his case as "the most difficult period" of his career. He expressed gratitude for being able to resume his professional football journey, stating he was "grateful" to return to the sport. His reinstatement has opened the door for a potential transfer, with Tottenham emerging as the leading candidates to sign him on loan.#football_association #tottenham_hotspur #court_of_arbitration_for_sport #mykhailo_mudryk #shakhtar_donetsk
Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner: 'Huge Desire' to Reach Conference League Final Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has emphasized the squad's "huge desire" to progress in the UEFA Conference League, as the club prepares to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the semifinal. The match, set for Thursday evening in Krakow, Poland, will be the first leg of a two-legged tie, with the second leg scheduled at Selhurst Park next week. Glasner, who previously led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, is now aiming for his second European trophy with Palace. The tie marks a significant step for Crystal Palace, who secured their first major trophy last season by winning the FA Cup. Glasner acknowledged the heightened stakes of the semifinal, stating, "The closer you come, the more you want it." He highlighted the importance of reaching the final, noting that "nobody will say it's fine playing a semifinal and losing." While the focus remains on the upcoming match, Glasner stressed the need to avoid overthinking the outcome, emphasizing that "we try to focus on what we have to do on the pitch to get the best possible result." The other semifinal matchup features Spanish side Rayo Vallecano facing French club Strasbourg. Glasner expressed respect for Shakhtar Donetsk, acknowledging their strength in the competition. "We have huge desire, we have the confidence and the belief we can win against Shakhtar, but we always have huge respect for the way they play," he said. This sentiment reflects the competitive nature of the Conference League, where teams like Shakhtar, known for their attacking style, pose a formidable challenge. Glasner’s approach to the match also underscores his philosophy of maintaining Crystal Palace’s identity.#crystal_palace #oliver_glasner #uefa_confrence_league #shakhtar_donetsk #krakow
