Frank Lampard revealed that he has had some “conversations” with Doug King about adding new players in the January transfer window, but insists it’s not his “priority” at this stage as he gets to know and work with what he’s described as a “strong enough” squad in the meantime.
The 46-year-old Sky Blues head coach enhanced his Derby County team with talented youngsters from the Premier League, helping the Rams get to the Championship play-off final in his first season in management in 2018/19. Amongst those loan players were midfielder Mason Mount and defender Fikayo Tomori from his former club, Chelsea, and attacking midfielder Harry Wilson from Liverpool, who contributed with 15 goals.
CoventryLive asked if he’s spoken to King about the January window, the owner having mentioned a couple of weeks ago after the fans’ forum that there might be an opportunity to do a bit of business, particularly in the loan market.
King, who was sat at the top table of the press conference at the CBS Arena media suite, interrupted the question to ask: “Did I?”
CoventryLive replied: “Yes,” before continuing to ask that while it can often be a difficult window in which to operate, is it a situation where he might look to add a sprinkling of magic, possibly in the loan market from his contacts at Chelsea, in terms of some talented young players?
“It’s not that simple but I see your point, and I have had a good experience with youngsters at Chelsea,” answered City’s new head coach.
“But some periods are different to others and if a player comes then they have to affect us in a really positive way, so of course that’s work to be done. We have had some conversations, but absolutely it’s not my priority. I think we have got enough games in the meantime and this squad is strong enough in the meantime to work with what we have got.
“And of course, when January comes and we have a joined up conversation, we’ll make those decisions, but it certainly hasn’t been anywhere near the top of the list in our conversations so far.”
*Asked by CoventryLive after the fans’ forum just over a fortnight ago if the club’s new head coach would be given money to strengthen in January, King said: “We are always trying to do good deals. I mean, obviously any purchase of a player is coming in externally from me at the moment, but yeah, it depends how we go in the next ten or 12 games.
“Dean Austin (head of recruitment) and myself will work closely with the head coach and try to fill the gaps that come up in the next window to ensure that we get what’s required to provide cover or add sparkle, whatever is required or whatever we think is the right thing to do.”
He added: “Dean has spoken about loans and an ideal time for loans is probably the January window when it’s difficult to buy people anyway. And you want an impact and you work out where you want that impact and then you’re going to play them. But I don’t know, we’re a long way away.”
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