Frank Lampard has had five games in charge of Coventry City and revealed after Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing at Portsmouth that he learned more about his newly inherited side from that performance than the previous four put together.
A display devoid of character and battling spirit in a dismal second half showing, it also saw defensive alarm bells ringing loud and clear as the Sky Blues continue to concede cheap and wholly avoidable goals.
With the January transfer window just days away from opening, the mid-term trading point presents an opportunity for the new head coach to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season. With that in mind, here we look at the transfer state of play.
What are the priority positions?
Goalkeeper:
Lampard finds himself in a strange position of having inherited three senior goalkeepers but struggling for one to come to the fore as the dominant and reliable figure to take the number one spot. The latest incumbent, Brad Collins, had a stinker at Pompey and fans remain unconvinced by the former Barnsley stopper who they have never really taken to since joining the club 18 months ago. Hopes were high for Oliver Dovin when he signed in the summer but the Sweden international is young and inexperienced, and struggled to adapt to the level and really impose himself in his first few months, resulting in Ben Wilson being restored to the side. The most experienced man at the club, however, has been out injured for almost three months and is yet to return to the squad, albeit having made a tentative return to training.
The one thing the position has lacked, however, whoever has been fit or available, is a dominant figure to come and take crosses and command the box, and an experienced custodian would be on most fans’ January wish list.
Defence:
It’s no secret that as good as Milan van Ewijk can be on his day, his form has been a bit up and down this season. The right-back admits that he has suffered with confidence issues this term and it is the one position in the team where there is no direct competition or cover. There are also question marks at left-back where Jay Dasilva has come in for criticism at times and it’s an area of the team that arguably needs a fresh impetus.
The central defensive berths have also come up short this season, with one glaring missing ingredient that hasn’t been replaced since Kyle McFadzean left for Blackburn Rovers last January –a rugged, no-nonsense leader at the back.
Midfield:
The loss of both Callum O’Hare and Kasey Palmer in the last transfer window was never really addressed, presumably because the latter’s move to Hull came on deadline day with no time to bring in a replacement. Jack Rudoni, who sees himself more as a box-to-box midfielder than final third operator, has done an admirable job as a number ten for much of the season so far, and has proved one of the success stories of the summer signings. But the team is arguably crying out for a dynamic playmaker to pick the killer passes and open up opposition teams.
Wing:
As good as Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is, the Japanese wide man has no direct competition or alternative option to take the pressure off him, other than the likes of Brandon Thomas-Asante being played out of position in that right wing role. Hopes had been high for Raphael to provide that support but the summer capture from Australia still hasn’t been seen at senior level, having been injured for his first few months and only played a few games in the Under-21s. The 21-year-old might be the answer, but it’s a big jump from the Australian A-League to the Championship and it remains to be seen, A, if he can be fit and robust enough, and B, whether he can make an impact at this level.
Who has been linked so far?
Kai Wagner
City have been linked with interest in German defender Kai Wagner, who is currently plying his trade in the USA with MLS side Philadelphia Union.
Sky Sports Germany first reported interest earlier this month from the Sky Blues in the 27-year-old left-back, who has an impressive 12 assists and one goal so far this season. The broadcaster claims the player has also attracted the attention of Championship rivals Burnley as well as Italian Serie A clubs Atalanta Bergamo and Parma who, it is said, have already made inquiries for his services ahead of the January transfer window.
And another outlet claims that the player’s £1.6million release clause means that any club who manages to get “a defender this good for such a bargain is nothing short of highway robbery.”
Verdict: Seems to perfectly fit the bill for left-back, with the experienced player also able to play on the right.
Tyler Bindon
City, along with Hull and Watford are among a host of Championship clubs chasing Reading FC defender Tyler Bindon in the January transfer window, claims Football League World, which says the Royals are bracing themselves for offers for the New Zealand international as the player enter the final six months of his contract at the club.
Bindon has been an ever-present figure at the heart of the Berkshire side’s defence this season, making 19 appearances for the club as the Royals look to push for a play-off spot in League One. The 19-year-old centre-back joined Reading back in August 2023, arriving from the LAFC Academy in the USA and was immediately thrust into the first-team under previous Royals boss Ruben Selles, making 40 appearances for them in League One last term.
Verdict: Bindon perfectly fits Coventry’s development model but is arguably not what the team needs right now. The team is crying out for proven experience at the back rather than gambling on a bright young prospect who would be thrown in at the deep end.
Discussion about this post