Deal or no deal? The transfer status of every Coventry City player
It’s a busy period for Coventry City boss Frank Lampard as he attempts to add strength to his injury-hit squad in the January transfer window.
The first three weeks were pretty quiet for the Sky Blues in terms of in-comings, although a number of players have been the subject or speculation linking them with moves away from the CBS Arena. Lampard, however, has been quick to stamp on any interest by insisting that he wants to keep the bulk of his frontline squad together, certainly for the remainder of the season when he can properly assess his inherited personnel for himself.
Rabbi Matondo was due to be the first January signing over the line until the deal with Rangers broke down but one or two are hoped to join before the mid-term window deadline on February 3. With that in mind, and with half an eye on what might happen in the summer, here we look at the transfer status of every City player.
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Oliver Dovin
The summer signing is full of confidence and starting to show why he was brought to the club, having kept four clean sheets in his last seven games since breaking back into the team. Although he still needs to improve aspects of his game, he’s a good shot stopper who the club feel has a big future.
Brad Collins
The 27-year-old goalkeeper has struggled with form this season but is expected to stay for the remainder of the campaign as back-up and cover, particularly given the fact that Ben Wilson has been out injured for so long. Expected to be surplus to requirements in the summer when he will have a year left on his three year contract.
Ben Wilson
Set back by a knee ligament injury, the experienced keeper hasn’t played for almost four months. Lampard, however, seems to rate him and likes his bubbly and positive character in the camp. Out of contract in the summer, however, Wilson faces an uncertain future at the club but don't be surprised if he gets offered a contract extension.
Milan van Ewijk
City’s first choice right-back/wing-back who has blown hot and cold this season but remains one of the first names on the team sheet. Been linked with a number of clubs, however, in the current and summer transfer window, with Galatasaray and Fulham the latest reported to have the Dutch defender on their radar. A key asset, but every player has their price and one wonders if his agent is eyeing the player's next move.
Jay Dasilva
The left-back/wing-back has struggled for form at times as he competes with Jake Bidwell, who clearly has the edge over him in the pecking order. He’ll be two years into his four-year contract come the summer and he may well be a player who is made available for transfer come May.
Jake Bidwell
Just signed a new two-and-a half-year deal and highly rated by Frank Lampard, so very much part of the head coach’s plans as an experienced and reliable leader on and off the pitch.
Bobby Thomas
Like a number of players, the centre-half has struggled to hit the heights shown in his first season at the club but is still a regular in the team and growing with confidence as he looks to get back to the exceptional form he showed last season.
Joel Latibeaudiere
Well liked by Lampard for his mature head on relatively young shoulders and all-round attitude and commitment to the cause. Been a regular under the new boss.
Liam Kitching
Another player who struggled to hit last season’s form but got his chance under Lampard at Norwich and grabbed it with both hands, having stayed in the team ever since. Linked with interest from Blackburn this month, but Lampard insists he wants to keep him and impressive recent performances show just why.
Luis Binks
Been in and out of the team but starting to add confidence and consistency to his game after upgrading his season-long loan from Bologna to a permanent deal.
Josh Eccles
One of our own signed a new contract extension in November and appears very much part of the club’s plans moving forwards as he continues to grow in stature in City’s midfield. Currently flying the flag for the club’s Academy as a real homegrown success story.
Ben Sheaf
With a year left on his contract, City could well cash in on the midfielder in the summer. He admitted he’d had interest from a number of clubs last summer but City wanted to keep him. However, the former Arsenal man is ambitious and keen to get back to the Premier League if he can overcome his injury issues.
Victor Torp
A year into his Sky Blues career, the Dane is finally starting to look the part and establish himself in the team with regular starts and is hoped to continue growing at the level. He had his best game to date against Watford and the potential to be a real fan favourite.
Jamie Allen
Out of contract in the summer, many thought the midfielder’s time was coming to an end at the club. However, he’s recently broken back into the team and earned rave reviews from Frank Lampard, who has also handed him the armband in Sheaf’s absence. A one-year extension might be on the cards if he continues to impress on a consistent basis to the end of the season.
Jack Rudoni
One of City’s standout summer signings, Rudoni is one of the first names on the team-sheet and key part of Lampard’s team, plus an exciting young player who the head coach rates very highly.
Ephron Mason-Clark
Came to life under Lampard after a difficult start to the season after stepping up from League One, scoring four goals in six games before being set back by injury. Highly rated by the boss and hoped to have a big future at the club.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto
Another highly rated player by Lampard who has made use of the Japanese winger on a regular basis since taking charge in November.
Haji Wright
City’s leading scorer is yet to feature under Lampard due to having been out injured since just before his appointment, but the head coach is looking forward to working with the USA international, who scored 19 times in his first season with the Sky Blues. His goal record makes him one of the club’s biggest assets.
Ellis Simms
Has taken time to get going in his second season with the Sky Blues, but is currently starting to look like a proper number nine and make use of his physical attributes on a regular basis. Just needs to add goals. Hopes remain high that he will get close to last season’s 19-goal return.
Brandon Thomas-Asante
Another summer signing who has taken time to get up and running, but is currently responding well to a run in the side, scoring two in his last two games. Although wanted by Blackburn Rovers, Lampard wants to keep him and see him progress at City.
Norman Bassette
A raw talent who is quick and exciting and just needs to add more goals following his arrival in the summer. Highly rated by Lampard, who sees plenty of development in the lad.
Fabio Tavares
Out of contract in the summer and it feels as though the writing is on the wall for the striker who is struggling to get game time this season, both under Mark Robins and now Lampard. A loan or permanent move could be on the cards this month if City get in suitable alternative attacking options which would further push him down the pecking order.
Raphael Borges Rodriguez
The summer recruit from the Australian A-League has been hampered by injury since joining the club. Also needs to become more robust, but Lampard is excited by the lad, who he sees very much as a “project” with plenty of development in him.
