Coventry City's transfer window has raised 'mouthwatering' prospect as Frank Lampard awaits cavalry
Although it’s been a pretty quiet mid-term transfer window for Coventry City amid plenty of speculative noise, the club have made arguably one of their most important signings of the last few of years.
Despite talk of centre-halves and needing ‘help’ on the wings, in the end Frank Lampard has secured just one new face so far in statement signing Matt Grimes – a key midfielder player for the here and now. The 29-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best in the division and fills a void in the middle of the park for the Sky Blues that’s been needed ever since Gus Hamer left for pastures new in the summer of 2023.
Grimes should, by all accounts, be a terrific signing for City. He rarely gets injured and is as consistent a performer as you can get at this level. The prospect of him dovetailing with Ben Sheaf when the skipper returns from injury is mouth-watering to say the least.
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His capture is also a smart bit of pre-emptive business ahead of the summer window when there’s the very real chance that Sheaf will be on his way. The former Arsenal man admitted he’d had interest last summer and has made no secret of his desire to get to the Premier League.
And with just 18 months left on his contract, if he won’t sign fresh terms then the club are expected to cash in on him, knowing that his ready-made long-term successor is already at the club.
The reported £3.5m-£4m paid for Grimes is another significant investment by Doug King who has once again shown his ambition for the club by backing the man in charge of the team. And while many fans may have been hoping for more fresh faces, the fact that free agent Jamie Paterson is there to be signed could just provide the icing on the January transfer window cake.
There was no rush to get the deal done before last night’s 11pm deadline because being unattached to any club he can sign outside the window. Lampard has spoken about his quality, fitness and “brilliant” character in the dressing room during the last three weeks while the 33-year-old has been training with his home town club, and unless someone comes in and offers him a long-term contract, it feels like it’s only going to be a matter of time before Paterson joins City on a short-term arrangement until the end of the season.
An exciting and versatile forward who can play on either flank, as an attacking midfielder or second striker, the experienced player could complete what has been a decent window for the Sky Blues who have just hit form.
Factor in the return of Haji Wright, Ephron Mason-Clark and Sheaf from injury in the next few weeks and all of a sudden Lampard’s squad is starting to look like a potential play-off contender.
