Coventry City Warned Against Signing Free Agent 24-Year-Old Forward

Coventry City shouldn’t rush to sign free agent Emil Riis, with more to come from Ellis Simms.

That’s according to former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie who doesn’t think the former Preston striker is necessarily much better than a man on whom the Sky Blues spent a reported £8m a couple of summers ago.

Simms arrived from Everton in 2023 and while he scored 19 goals in his first season, only six followed last term and he lost his place in Frank Lampard’s starting line-up.

Riis, who has been linked with City by Sky Sports, isn’t exactly prolific himself, with 12 Championship goals last season and six in 21 matches the previous campaign.

And speaking with Football League World Hendrie advised Lampard against moving on from Simms just yet. “Coventry are keen on Emil Riis as well, who is set to leave on a free,” Hendrie said.

“Would he be an upgrade on Ellis Simms? I don’t think so personally, I really don’t.

“I think there is still more to come from Simms. The thing with him is he’s got Haji Wright there, who has really stepped up his game after joining the club. The only thing with Simms is the goal contributions haven’t really been there for someone of his calibre.

“They brought him in as their main striker and he hasn’t been able to fit the bill for them. I’m not sure it would be an upgrade, I think you’re getting something very similar.

“It might suit him and he could suit Lampard’s style of play at Coventry, some players go stale at a club and that’s obviously what’s happened with Riis [at Preston].

“Maybe that punt on a free transfer wouldn’t be a bad one knowing that he could potentially come in and step up to the plate.

“Obviously there are a few clubs interested, that would probably be a better solution for him than Sheffield United.”

Riis spent four-and-a-half years at Deepdale after signing from Randers FC for a reported £1.2million. He suffered a serious knee injury in January 2023 and missed almost one year of football, but left the Lilywhites with a record of 58 goal contributions in 186 appearances.