Coventry City Recruitment Plan 2022

Current Squad Depth: 

Current 21/22 Team By Statistical Analysis: 

(All Values & Contracts are from the TransferMarkt website. All wages are an estimate only using a published article by capology). This will feature those players who have made a Championship appearance this season only. Also please note the valuations may be inaccurate as you will see, but these are purely from the website listed above and not an estimate from myself. 

Goalkeepers
- Simon Moore: Age - 32 | Value - £375,000 | Wages - £3,600 per week | Contract - June 2024

City’s number one had an impressive debut season with the Skyblues, especially given he was reduced to a second and sometimes third choice goalkeeping role at Sheffield United over the last few seasons. He’s kept nine clean sheets in 41 appearances in the Championship last season but he did lose his place towards the end of the campaign. His distribution has been excellent throughout the season, a big improvement on the departed Marko Marosi. I definitely think a break and another full pre-season could do Moore wonders in rebuilding his confidence. Despite interest from Aston Villa in January, I’d except Moore to remain at the club.

- Ben Wilson: Age - 29 | Value - £270,000 | Wages - £1,000 per week | Contract - June 2023

Ben Wilson has provided some excellent competition for Simon Moore throughout the 2021/2022 season, even replacing him as number one towards the end of the season. He made five Championship appearances last season which was significantly less than the previous season but he did keep a clean sheet and pulled off an excellent penalty save against West Bromwich Albion in the dying seconds. Wilson is a good shot stopper, producing an excellent series of saves, particularly against Huddersfield. He’s been a solid addition for Coventry and the big worry is whether he’d try and look for a first team opportunity elsewhere next season. However, I think that’s unlikely and it would be a big departure for Coventry. 

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Defenders 

- Fankaty Dabo: Age - 26 | Value - £720,000 | Wages - £1,500 per week | Contract - June 2023* 

Full-back Fankaty Dabo had a very difficult season last season it has to be said. During the 2020/2021 season, Dabo had several injury spells and that has definitely affected his confidence last season. It’s like he is almost a season behind other members of the squad which is a concern. He made a total of 29 Championship appearances last season, securing two assists including a very late equaliser against Blackburn Rovers. Unfortunately, he was played out of position on more than one occasion, playing centre-back and left wing-back which really affected his confidence. He may be slightly behind the squad but for me, he will always be a key member and I would definitely make sure he remains at the club this season. 

- Todd Kane: Age 28 | Value - £720,000 | Wages - £5,800 per week | Contract - June 2023

Todd Kane arrived at the club in August 2021 from Championship rivals QPR on a free transfer. He added some much needed, championship experience into the squad as well as providing some key competition for Dabo. He also made 29 championship appearances last season, providing four assists as well as scoring during an excellent comeback against AFC Bournemouth in November. I am a big fan of Todd Kane, he’s an individual that always looks to try and make things happen. The only downside is his set-pieces aren’t necessarily the most consistent and he makes a lot of unforced errors. If he could work on his consistency in the final third then we have a very good full-back on our hands. 

- Josh Eccles: Age - 22 | Value - £225,000 | Wages - £800 per week | Contract - June 2023

Josh Eccles ended the season in unfortunate circumstances after being stretched off against Stoke City on the final day. Five Championship appearances had occurred for Eccles in a campaign rattled by injuries. It’s extremely unfortunately given he finished the 2020/2021 season in brilliant form. His versatility is extremely important to Mark Robins as he can play in defensive midfield or at right-back where he’s played this season. He also put in a solid performance against Southampton in the FA Cup and he definitely has a very important season ahead of him next season. I don’t think a loan would be the correct call, in-fact I think he will be used as a squad player next season and rightly so. 

- Julien Dacosta: Age - 26 | Value - £270,000 | Wages - £4,500 per week | Contract - June 2023

Julien Dacosta has had a difficult time for the Skyblues since his arrival in July 2020. He originally started well and put in some good performances, even out-placing Fankaty Dabo in the side. Confidence and a possible matter of home sickness then seemed to play in as his performances began to dip. By the end of the season, Dacosta had fell completely out of favour and was eventually replaced by both Josh Pask and Josh Eccles in the side. Coming into last season, he did start the opening few games but again fell down the pecking order and he was sent out on loan to Liga Portuguese side Portimonense for the remainder of the 2021/2022 season. Dacosta will definitely be off this summer and I would accept any sort of transfer fee that came our way, just to  free up wages. 

- Dominic Hyam: Age - 26 | Value - £1,080,000 | Wages - £1,500 per week | Contract - June 2024

Scottish defender Dominic Hyam has had yet another strong campaign for the Skyblues, making 43 league appearances and scoring twice as well as a goal during the FA Cup victory against Derby County. Hyam’s arias duel wins have been a huge asset for the Skyblues defence. Hyam wins an average of 3.9 arial duels per 90 minutes. Just to put that into context, only Tom Lees (Huddersfield), Kyle Bartley (West Bromwich Albion) and Tom Lockyer (Luton Town) better that in the entire top half. His lack of pace hasn’t actually caused him too many issues and he is getting better and better each season, even captaining the side several times this season. He is someone we must keep ahold of. 

- Michael Rose: Age - 26 | Value - £450,000 | Wages - £1,500 per week | Contract - June 2023

After missing a significant chunk of the 2020/2021 season through injury, Rose massively bounced back last season and put in some exceptional performances, Particularly against Southampton in the FA Cup. Rose made 29 appearances in the Championship last season, scoring three goals, including a sublime header against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Scottish defender attracted interest from Southampton over the last few months and his future remains uncertain but I would definitely look to keep him. If there’s bids, I’d like us to consider a minimum of at least a million pounds, given his current contract status. 

- Kyle McFadzean: Age - 35 | Value - £225,000 | Wages - £3,000 per week | Contract - June 2023

Despite his age increasing, McFadzean seems to be ageing like a fine wine. His performances last season were exceptional, especially for a 35-year-old. His pace was never an issue either last season as he kept some of the leagues best players quiet. McFadzean made 37 appearances for Coventry last season, scoring three times including a 97th minute winner on the opening day against Nottingham Forest. Although a cover player is likely to be needed, I think McFadzean is still a valid member of this squad and will be involved like normal next season. He’s also just signed a one year deal which is completely deserved. 

- Jake Bidwell: Age - 29 | Value - £1,600,000 | Wages - £9,000 per week | Contract - June 2025

Bidwell joined the Skyblues on a free transfer in January from Championship rivals Swansea City. He made 16 appearances for the Skyblues last season, playing both left wing-back and centre back when Jake Clarke-Salter was ruled out injured. Although Bidwell is arguably better on the left side of a back three rather than a wing-back, he does have quality. He was in fine form towards the back end of the season and I believe he will be a very important part of the squad next season. Personally, although some Coventry fans are still unsure on him, I would definitely keep him. He may be a high earner but you don’t spent your entire career in the Championship if your not a good enough player. 

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Midfielders 

- Gustavo Hamer: Age - 24 | Value - £3,000,000 | Wages - £6,500 per week | Contract - June 2024

Brazilian born Gustavo Hamer has had an outstanding season last season. He scored three and assisted ten in 39 league appearances last season, massively improving on the previous season. In front of the sky blue army, he has really felt at home, even having his own chant. His distribution throughout the season is utterly brilliant. Something you’d pay to watch.  He made 1.6 key passes per 90 minutes last season, only beaten by Fulham’s Harry Wilson and Reading’s John Swift. He also averaged 48.2 passes per 90, which is the best for a midfielder in the entire division. Despite only valued at three million, Hamer will command a price tag of at least ten to twelve million pounds this summer maybe pushing fifteen. He has Premeir league interest so his future is uncertain but I’d love to see him stay for another season. 

- Ben Sheaf: Age - 24 | Value - £630,000 | Wages - £5,000 per week | Contract - June 2024

Ben Sheaf has had an exceptional season once again last season. He played 35 times in the Championship, scoring his first couple of goals for the Skyblues in the away match against Birmingham. As well as this, Sheaf also picked up four assists including a memorable assist for Viktor Gyokeres goal against Southampton. He’s managed 1.4 interceptions and averages 47.6 accurate passes per 90 which is just short of Gustavo Hamer’s total. Statistically, Sheaf is the best performing holding midfielder in the Championship. He is someone that Coventry must not lose in the transfer window and you could argue he’s just important to the team as the ‘big 3’. 

- Liam Kelly: Age - 32 | Value - £270,000 | Wages - £2,500 per week | Contract - June 2023

Captain Liam Kelly has had a mixed season last season it has to be said. Kelly was reduced to 16 Championship appearances although he did pick up a vital assist to set-up Matt Godden for a last minute winner against Bristol City in November. The season was dominated by injuries unfortunately, including tearing his hamstring and then re-tearing it during his very first training session back. He’s been a loyal servant since his arrival at the club in June 2017, even becoming captain following the departure of Michael Doyle. However, I do believe it’s going to be an interesting summer for sure for the 32-year-old. He’s still rated highly at the club but could a lack of consistent game time, force Kelly to look elsewhere? If we were looking to sell I’d look for a price of roughly £250,000 but I don’t believe that’s an option at this stage. 

-  Ryan Howley: Age - 18 | Value - £90,000 | Wages - £800 per week | Contract - June 2023

Welshman Ryan Howley has broke into the first team fold this season, including making his professional debut against Northampton as well as his Championship debut against Nottingham Forest. He’s had a very strong season for the U23s as well. This includes several goals and assists along the way, including a goal in the PDL final victory against Bristol City in May. He also won the EFL apprentice of the year award at the EFL awards in May and has a huge season ahead of him. I do think it’s likely that Howley could be sent out on loan, even for a brief spell next season. This would be in order to give him more men’s first team experience ahead of a return to Coventry. 

- Jamie Allen: Age - 27 | Value - £540,000 | Wages - £4,000 per week | Contract - June 2024

Jamie Allen’s rise from the bomb squad to first team regular is a true credit to his professionalism and determination. He ended up making an impressive 38 Championship appearances last season, scoring once and assisting twice. Allen has had to adapt to a more attacking role this season as he’s naturally a central midfield player. However, Allen has adapted to that role brilliantly and at times has been one of the standout names on the team sheet. I very much doubt they’d be any sort of bids for him that would be enough for him to be tempted to depart, therefore he will remain as a very important part of the Skyblues side next season. 

- Callum O’Hare: Age - 24 | Value - £3,600,000 | Wages - £10,000 | Contract - June 2024

The Solihull Messi has had a much improved season last season, especially contributing more in the final third. O’Hare has finished the Championship season with five goals and eight assists in 45 league appearances. Despite it being a slow start to the campaign, he grabbed his first league goal against Bristol City in November and almost secured his first senior hat-trick against Sheffield United in a famous four one win. O’Hare has been brilliant this season but I still believe he isn’t at his best yet and if I was Coventry, I would be making sure that he stays at all costs. His absence is noticeable for sure and he wouldn’t be the easiest to replace, given we’d need two players to replace him. 

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Forwards

- Matt Godden: Age - 30 | Value - £540,000 | Wages - £4,000 per week | Contract - June 2024

Matt Godden enjoyed arguably his best season as a professional footballer too, scoring twelve goals in 24 appearances in the Championship last season. He may have struggled again with injuries, including a spell on the sidelines following emergency surgery due to a burst appendix. However, he’s still averaging a goal every other game, which in the second tier is utterly brilliant. Godden’s finishing this season has been top notch it has to be said, he’s bullied Championship defenders throughout the campaign and I honestly believe if he remained injury free, he’d have hit the twenty goal mark for sure. Godden has a huge season ahead of him next season that’s for sure and I really hope he can replicate/better last season. 

- Viktor Gyokeres: Age - 24 | Value - £4,500,000 | Wages - £3,500 per week | Contract - June 2024

Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres had an outstanding season for the Skyblues last season. He scored 17 goals in 45 Championship appearances last season as well as a goal against Premier League side Southampton in the FA Cup.  He also secured five assists meaning he averaged a goal contribution every other game. He can play either striker or left wing and he has developed a reputation as one of the divisions best lone strikers. Gyokeres broke into the Swedish National side following the season and has attracted interest from Fulham. Burnley and Middlesbrough. If Coventry were to entertain a sale, we shouldn’t be accepting anything under £15,000,000 and we definitely shouldn’t look to sell to a league rival. 

- Martyn Waghorn: Age - 32 | Value - £630,000 | Wages - £10,000 per week | Contract - June 2023

Experienced striker Martyn Waghorn has had a difficult campaign for the Skyblues, when an injury disrupted a promising start to the season. Waghorn made 27 appearances last season, scoring once and assisting a further two goals. Waghorn started brilliantly and developed an excellent relationship with Viktor Gyokeres until a shoulder injury saw him slip down the pecking order. He’s struggled with confidence ever since but for me, I believe he ended the campaign very strongly indeed and was unlucky not to have more goals on his tally. He has a big season ahead next season and if he remains with the club, I’d back him to have a better season. If we were looking to sell, we should look at offers around the £300k-£400k mark. 

- Tyler Walker: Age - 25 | Value - £450,000 | Wages - £7,000 per week | Contract - June 2023 

Striker Tyler Walker has had a very difficult season for Coventry last season. After finishing the 2020/2021 season as the clubs top scorer, he was expected to kick on but it simply didn’t happen. Walker managed two goals in 19 Championship appearances which were in back to back games against Blackburn and Preston. However, he fell out of favour and subsequently joined Portsmouth on loan under former boss Danny Crowley. Unfortunately, that didn’t work either, with Walker scoring once in 15 matches. He is expected to be sold this summer especially as he enters his final 12 months at the club. I think we should take the hit and look for offers around £400,000. Several League One and Scottish Premiership sides have already been credited with an interest. 

- Fabio Tavares: Age - 21 | Value - £180,000 | Wages - £800 per week | Contract - June 2023

The final player to make a Championship appearance this season was Fabio Tavares. The Portuguese striker finished as the U23s top scorer with seventeen goals, the highest in the country. He also broke into the Championship first team, scoring once in seven appearances which was a sensational last minute winger against Preston North End. Tavares at times has been the third choice striker with the club and to be honest, he’s deserved it. His performances seem to be getting better and better but there is a possibility that he could be loaned out this summer. This would be in order to get regular first team football instead of being used as a squad option again. 

What Scenarios Could Play Out For Coventry This Summer? 

We will use the current graph and we will state that Coventry’s official transfer budget is £764,000 (remember signings aren’t paid up front, it’s spaced out over several years). Below I will take a look at a few scenarios that could play out for the Skyblues this summer: 

- Scenario A - Callum O’Hare Is Sold

Now this is an unlikely scenario given how much O’Hare loves Coventry but every player has their price and theoretically, he could get a premier league if he wanted. Now, O’Hare is currently valued at £3,600,000 but the rumour going around is that Coventry would need a fee of roughly £8,000,000 or so to tempt them into selling. This would increase Coventry’s transfer budget from £764,000 to roughly £1,350,000. This is an increase of roughly £600,000, of course remembering that it isn’t £8,000,000 in one payment. 

- Scenario B - Gustavo Hamer Is Sold 

A Gustavo Hamer departure is a sad reality for Coventry fans this summer. The player did state last pre-season that he’d look to move on next season but this stance has since changed as Hamer confirmed in a recent interview with Dutch media. Several Premier League sides including Brighton, Leeds and Brentford have already been credited with an interest. Coventry signed Hamer for roughly £1,300,000 so it would be a huge profit for the club whenever he is sold. Coventry for me should be looking for at least £12,500,000 as the bare minimum, possibly pushing £15,000,000. This theoretically would give Coventry an extra £2,000,000 into their transfer budget for the season, which would increase our total to £2,764,000. This budget would be enough to fund at least three new players, although one would have to be a replacement. 

- Scenario C - Viktor Gyokeres Is Sold

Honestly, I believe this is the likelier of the first three scenarios given he’s the player in demand the most. Strikers win you titles and that’s why Gyokeres is so highly wanted. Middlesbrough, Fulham and Burnley have all already stated how keen they are to sign him. However, it’s whoever pays the most will land him. For me, Coventry shouldn’t be considering anything under £15,000,000 because he is the best lone striker in the division and if you compare him to fellow strikers, Joel Piroe is roughly the same price and Keinan Davis at Aston Villa has a high price tag but scored nowhere near the amount Gyokeres did. A sale like this would give Coventry roughly £2,5000,000 extra to spend in the window. This increases our budget to £3,264,000 which is enough for at least four or five players, especially given Coventry will most likely look at free or loan players again. However, replacing Gyokeres is easier said than done. 

- Scenario D - Tyler Walker & Julien Dacosta Are Sold/Released 

Julien Dacosta and Tyler Walker are likely on the transfer list this summer after falling massively out of favour. Dacosta is on £4,500 per week which actually works out at £234,000 per year. Tyler Walker is on £7,000 per week which works out to roughly £364,000 per year. Walker was sent out on loan in January in order to fund Jake Bidwell’s arrival at the club. Therefore, seeing both of these players leave would free up £11,500 on wages per week, which would fund one very good player or two loanees. I believe this scenario playing out is definitely very likely. Although if we release them, we would have to pay a fee so it would be easier to try and sell them. 

- Scenario E - Gyokeres, Hamer & O’Hare Are Sold

This unfortunately is a grim reality for the Skyblues this summer, especially if all three of their valuations are met. If we go back to by estimated valuations, Gyokeres leaving for £15,000,000, Hamer leaving for £12,500,000 and O’Hare for £8,000,000 is a combined price of £35,500,000 which is huge money for Coventry but it would leave us with a huge ask for the season, before it even begins. Whilst noting that we won’t see all of that up-front. If all three deals are paid out over four years, it would mean the Skyblues would get roughly £8,875,000 in the first season. Coventry would roughly see 40% of that which only works out at £3,550,000. Add that to our existing budget of £764,000 and our budget would be £4,314,000 to spend on players. Given Coventry would also pay deals over a select period of time, that budget could get Coventry roughly eight players which would increase the quality in the squad but three or four of those signings would have to replace Gyokeres, Hamer and O’Hare for sure. This although sounds mouth watering for those money lovers, it would be an absolute nightmare for Mark Robins and his team. Especially with less time to prepare for the 2022/2023 season. 

What Type Of Players Will Coventry Target?

As I stated above, Coventry City won’t have a very big playing budget going into the transfer window. Mark Robins has however confirmed that the club will do everything they can to keep ahold of Viktor Gyokeres, Callum O’Hare and Gustavo Hamer going into next season. If all three were to stay, City would only need four or five new players in order to really compete next season. However, these new signings would either be loans from the Premier League or free transfers. There’s not many positions that actually need filling but below we will take a look at options for every position, including positions that Coventry don’t play with. 

Transfer Targets - Goalkeepers 

The Skyblues are unlikely to bring in a goalkeeper this summer given how well Simon Moore and Ben Wilson performed throughout last season. Along with that, Cian Tyler and Tom Billson performing well for the U23s is also a huge bonus for the club going into the new season. With that being said, I have selected three possible goalkeepers that the Skyblues could look to sign if an unlikely scenario plays out. 

Jojo Wollacott (Swindon Town, League Two) 

First up is Swindon Town goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott. The 25-year-old has made 37 appearances for Swindon Town last season, keeping ten clean sheets as Swindon narrowly missed out on a spot in the play-off final after losing to Port Vale on penalties. Wollacott is an Ideal, modern day goalkeeper who loves playing the ball out from the back. Something that would be a huge asset to Mark Robins side. However, he would only join the Skyblues if Ben Wilson was to make a shock departure from Coventry this summer. At 6ft2, Wollacott is the same height to Simon Moore and carries a very similar set of qualities for a keeper. He’s available on a free transfer this summer due to being out of contract (according to transfer markt) and is also an international goalkeeper for Ghana. He’s also had past Championship experience, having spent eight years with the Bristol City squad despite never making a first team league appearance. 

Adam Davies (Sheffield United, Championship)

Sheffield United’s back-up keepers, usually do well with the Skyblues. However, despite being a number two at the moment, Adam Davies is better known as a number one. The 29-year-old joined Sheffield United in January, following the departure of loanee Robin Olsen but is yet to make an appearance for the club. He has spent years as a number one at Barnsley before his move to Stoke City in 2019, however he was limited to just 40 appearances in three years. Davies is in the final twelve months of his contract at Brammal Lane so would be a possible option on a free, but only if Simon Moore made a departure from the Skyblues this summer. This scenario is again unlikely. He’s been floating around the Wales national side for the last few years and therefore, he may need to move elsewhere to get back into Robert Page’s plans ahead of the 2022 World Cup in November. 

Benjamin Siegrist (Dundee United, Scottish Premiership)

The final goalkeeper option on this list is Dundee United goalkeeper Ben Siegrist. The 31-year-old has had an impressive spell at United but his future does remain uncertain. The Swiss shot-stopper kept nine clean sheets in 33 appearances for Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership last season as the club finished the season in fourth place. At 6ft4, Siegrist is a taller alternative to Simon Moore but also can play out from the back, making him suit many Championship ball-playing sides perfectly. He has already attracted interest from both Blackpool and Preston North End so the Championship is clearly the right level for him, if he wanted to make that jump into the EFL. He was out of contract but I believe his current side have triggered a one year option, however the option of a cheap deal is still there should the Skyblues lose Ben Wilson or Simon Moore this summer. 

Transfer Targets - Right-Backs 

Coventry City do have roughly five or six different options when it comes to the right-back slot. Youngsters Jack Burroughs and Josh Eccles can both play there, as can U23s defender Blaine Rowe. Julien Dacosta and Todd Kane face uncertain futures at the time of writing whilst Fankaty Dabo will be raring to go after missing the final few games of the season. 

Nathan Byrne (Derby County, League One) 

Experienced full-back Nathan Byrne put in a very strong effort for Derby last season, despite their relegation to League One being confirmed. Byrne made 41 league appearances for the club last season and is arguably a better level than the third tier. The 29-year-old does have an important summer ahead, given the fact that there will be a host of options on the table for him. Despite the numerous options that Coventry possess, we used four different options last season and unfortunately, neither player really stood out consistently. Byrne however, is a very consistent Championship level defender and his experience and overall style of player would really suit the Skyblues perfectly. He has pace, a good sense of vision and he’s good at distributing play from the back, something that would suit a Mark Robins side perfectly. 

Ryan Nyambe (Blackburn Rovers, Championship)

Blackburn are currently sweating whilst awaiting the news of whether full-back Ryan Nyambe has agreed to extend his stay at Ewood Park or whether he wants a new chapter. The 24-year-old made 31 Championship appearances for the club last season as they narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs. He has spent five years at the club making over 150 appearances in total, so he is a proven player at this level for sure. He’s had a tough second half to the season, following the arrival of Hertha Berlin loanee Deyovaisio Zeefuik and reports are already suggesting that Nyambe doesn’t want to stick around at the club. He has a very similar play style to Fankaty Dabo. He loves to get forward and create chances but defensively he is also strong. Arguably one of his best assets is his tackling as well as his pace but his experience at a young age is also very important. He would be a brilliant upgrade on what we already have but the only stumbling block could be wages, with reports he’s on £5,000 at least per week. 

Kane Wilson (Forest Green Rovers, League One)

My final option is arguably the most realistic and ideal out of the three and that’s Forest Green defender Kane Wilson. The 22-year-old is currently set to leave the club after he is stalling over a new contract at the club and several Championship sides including Bristol City have already been credited with an interest. Wilson played 45 of Forest Green’s 46 League Two matches last season as they won the division. His stats are also extremely impressive, netting three and assisting a further 13 goals in the process. His assists will prove that he is a wing-back that loves to get forward and create chances. He suits any ball playing side, making him an ideal candidate for Coventry. The only issue is he is very similar to the more experienced Todd Kane, but with Kane facing an uncertain future, Wilson is definitely a candidate that I would love to see at the club. This is because he adds the creativity that we’ve lacked from the right hand side last season and strikers like Godden and Gyokeres would thrive off that sort of service.  

Transfer Targets - Centre Back

Coventry City will definitely be in the market for at least two centre-backs at the bare minimum this summer. Especially given Jake Clarke-Salter has returned to Chelsea after his loan deal at Coventry expired. This means a left footed centre-back is a priority as well as a younger/quicker version of the very experienced Kyle McFadzean. With U23s defender Declan Drysdale also facing an uncertain future, Coventry could look to the youth side of things as well in this upcoming window. 

Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea, Premier League)

Let’s be honest, Jake Clarke-Salter was always going to be the first name to discuss in this section. This is because Coventry have already submitted a contract offer to him and his agent and remain in a ‘strong position’ to re-sign him. A lot of this depends on whether Chelsea trigger his one year option on his existing deal. If they do, then Coventry will look elsewhere but reports are strongly suggesting that he will be released by the Blues. As we already know, Coventry will be in the market for a left footed centre-back this summer and Clarke-Salter will always be top priority. His wages aren't believed to be the issue, rather the numerous amount of clubs that hold an interest. These include Sheffield United, Leeds United, Club Brugge amongst others. However, I do hold faith that Coventry can get the deal done. 

Tom Lockyer (Luton Town, Championship)

Luton Town are in a similar financial situation to Coventry, going into next season. The Skyblues are in need of another central defender to provide fierce competition alongside Dominic Hyam, Michael Rose and Kyle McFadzean and Lockyer could be a great addition. The 27-year-old made 29 appearances in the Championship last season, scoring once during a victory against Bristol City back in January. He is also a welsh international so would add a different type of experience into the City defence. Lockyer does have twelve months remaining on his current contract and given Kal Naismith has already left, its unlikely but with this move being a reasonably cheap deal in terms of fee and wages, it is certainly a contender especially given he is a typical Mark Robins passing centre back. 

Cameron Humphreys-Grant (Free Agent)

The former Manchester City academy graduate is a player that Skyblues fans should be familiar with after he was linked with a move to the club in January but nothing ever materialised. The 23-year-old made 26 appearances for Belgium side Zulte-Waregam last season but has confirmed that he will be leaving the club this summer following the expiry of his contract. He has a lot of pace and is a very similar style of defender to Jake Clarke-Salter except he's right footed. Given he is a free transfer with a cheap wage and his overall style of play as a centre-back is very similar to the way Coventry play, I certainly believe Humphreys-Grant is on Coventry's shortlist of defenders for sure. Although with several other Championship sides such as Middlesbrough and Blackburn credited with an interest, Coventry would need to act fast in order to land him, if he was a target. 

Emmanuel Ntim (Valenciennes, French Ligue 2)

Ghanian international Emmanuel Ntim is out of contract in France this summer and definitely possesses the pace and physicality that the Skyblues have lacked at the back in the Championship so far. He made 36 appearances in the league last season, scoring twice and a big strength of his, is the ability to play in more than one position. He mainly played centre-back last season but also filled in at right-back where he picked up a couple of assists in the process. This is despite the fact that Valenciennes finished the season in sixteenth place in the French second tier. Given Coventry have picked up Wesley Jobello and Julien Dacosta from the French second tier, this isn't a far fetched idea at all, in fact, Ntim is most likely a player that Chris Badlan has either previously scouted or watched play. He won't be on a high wage and the 26-year-old could be available on a free transfer too. 

Harry Darling (MK Dons, League One)

Harry Darling has had an utterly sensational season for MK Dons last season, despite their play-off semi-final defeat against Wycombe Wanderers. Darling has made 43 League One appearances plus both play-off matches and has definitely stood out as one of the divisions very best defenders. The 22-year-old has scored seven goals this season, which for a defender is quite something. This includes the goal where he ran the full length of the pitch with the ball before firing past the keeper in the clubs final home league game. He has all the qualities of a typical Coventry City defensive signing and although this move would cost a bigger fee, I strongly believe this is the defender that the club has been crying out for. However, MK Dons, despite failure to gain promotion, don't need to sell and given Coventry's lack of a high budget, it may be financially difficult but he's a player I would love to see join. 

Jack Tucker (Gillingham FC, League Two)

Gillingham may have suffered relegation from League One last season, however young defender Jack Tucker was definitely one of their standout performers. The 22-year-old made 44 league appearances for the club last season, scoring twice in a very strong campaign. He is a very good arial defender which is very important. especially at Championship level and is someone that already has plenty of first team experience to his name at a young age, which will only benefit him going forward. Swansea City have already been credited with a solid interest and Tucker is definitely someone that with development, could be the long term replacement for Kyle McFadzean. 

Transfer Targets - Left-Back

Following the departure of loanee Ian Maatsen, Coventry will definitely be in the market for at least one left-back this summer. Ideally that player will also be a permanent option as oppose to a loan option however my personal suggestions are both permanent and/or loan options. 

Kristian Pedersen (Free Agent)

Former Birmingham City defender Kristian Pedersen was linked with a move to Coventry in January, however the Skyblues pursued Jake Bidwell instead. The 27-year-old joined Birmingham back in 2018 and has made over 160 appearances for the club, scoring nine and assisting a further seven. This includes a Gustavo Hamer esc headed goal against Brentford a couple of seasons ago. Pedersen is a one time Danish international and with confidence he is an outstanding player. He was being linked with a big money move to Newcastle United just two/three seasons ago but has since suffered a blow to his confidence and has been in and out of the side. A fresh start could be exactly what Pedersen needs to reestablish his football career at a top level. He also possesses a long-throw trait which is a useful asset to have although its not something Coventry would likely use. His wages could rule him out of a move here but given his current location and the fact its a free transfer, would certainly appeal as a possible option for Coventry. 

Nesta Guinness-Walker (AFC Wimbledon, League Two)

Despite Wimbledon's relegation back to the fourth tier, Guinness-Walker has certainly impressed me enough to earn a spot on this list. He made 29 appearances in League One last season, scoring once and assisting a further two. He is a modern ay wing-back which suits Coventry's typical qualities for a left-wing back. He has a very similar play-style to both Ian Maatsen and Sam McCallum and although he is likely to be a back-up option to begin with, with the right type of development he could become an outstanding full-back, especially given he's only 22 years old. He is very quick, skilful and he isn't scared to get forward on counter attacks. You'd assume this means that he isn't the best defensively but again thats incorrect as interceptions and tackles are some of his best traits. He is out of contract and yet to sign a new deal so could join the club on a free transfer if this was being pursued. 

Tom Hamer (Burton Albion, League One)

Why have one Hamer when you could have two? Burton's Tom Hamer has put in some exceptional performances in league one last season, really cementing his place as one of the best in the division. The 22-year-old has played 45 of Burton's 46 league games last season and remains a solid option, especially given Coventry's past transfer activity with Burton, including the arrivals of Kyle McFadzean and Jamie Allen. He grabbed his only goal against Gillingham and has two assists. At 6ft tall, Hamer would go against your typical Coventry City wing-back but he is good on the ball and would bring a more composed and well-rounded player to Coventry's defence. He has been performing brilliantly for Burton since his arrival from Oldham and arguably deserves the opportunity to make the jump into the second tier. He is also relatively local to Coventry which is always a big attraction for a player from a midlands side. However, he is under contract at Burton so despite the wages being very cheap, he would require a fee. 

Kenneth Paal (Free Agent)

Dutch defender Kenneth Paal is currently a free agent after leaving Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle following their relegation last season, The 24-year-old made 25 league appearances last season and is a former teammate of Skyblues star man Gustavo Hamer. Paal is a quick full-back who loves to get forward and create chances. His attributes are again very similar to Ian Maatsen, making Paal almost a complete like for like option. Paal has attracted interest from several Dutch sides as well as Celtic within the last two transfer Windows, and there is definite potential for that list to expand. He will be on cheap wages and given the inspiration created by Gustavo Hamer’s move to Coventry, Paal should almost definitely be a name on the Skyblues shortlist this summer.

Derrick Kohn (Willem II, Dutch Eredivisie)

German full-back Derrick Kohn has had a very strong season for Willem last season. This includes scoring and assisting during his 31 appearances in the Dutch top tier that Kohn features in. He is also closing In on a place in the Ghanaian international squad. He is very pacey and loves to get forward and cause issues for right-backs. He is a product of the Bayern Munich academy before his move to the Netherlands. In terms of his player traits, he’s someone that loves to get forward but the down side is his defensive statistics aren’t necessarily the best. Therefore, a signing of his nature would be a real risk for Coventry, especially given our full-backs are advised to get forward as much as possible. He is currently heavily linked to German side Werder Bremen but with the player available on a free, it’s definitely an option Coventry could pursue. 

George Cox (Fortuna Sittiard, Dutch Eredivisie)

George Cox is a player that Coventry fans should be familiar with, given he was strongly linked to the Skyblues last summer but a move to us or QPR never materialised. The Englishman made 27 league appearances last season, scoring twice and assisting twice as well. The 24-year-old has smashed it since leaving Brighton and I am very confident that Chris Badlan would have taken a solid look at him. Height wise, Cox is 5ft6 meaning he is roughly a similar size and stature to a typical Coventry City left-wing back. He definitely has qualities going forward but the impressive thing with Cox is that he can also do a job defensively. George Cox is still under contract until next summer but is roughly valued at £900,000 meaning a lower offer is definitely possible. 

Sam McCallum (Norwich City, Championship) 

Former Skyblue Sam McCallum’s dream move up to Norwich hasn’t worked out in the way he’d have hoped. He has only played a handful of times and spent the past two seasons on loan at Coventry and QPR respectfully. Following Norwich’s relegation to the Championship, McCallum’s game time at Norwich could still remain limited depending on their signings. Maatsen did a strong job of replacing McCallum last season whilst McCallum had a tough time at Loftus Road. McCallum could definitely be available as a loan option this summer and given his relatively cheap wage, I definitely believe there is a possibility of him returning. Although, McCallum isn’t likely to be as high on the shortlist. 

Callum Styles (Barnsley, League One) 

Barnsley’s Callum Styles is ranked very highly by Mark Robins and he’s made that very clear on interviews in the past. Styles is now a Hungarian international and featured against England during the Nations League this summer. The 22-year-old has been a solid player for Barnsley and his portfolio has improved after moving from central midfield into the left wing-back slot despite their relegation. Now, Callum Styles is currently valued at £3 million which is very high but Barnsley have already confirmed they will need to sell some of their key players this summer due to the cost of relegation from the Championship. Therefore, Styles could definitely be an option if the price tag is low enough. This would solely depend on price as previously mentioned and how much Robins wants him. 

Transfer Targets - Defensive Midfielders

Coventry currently have several good defensive midfield options, including Gustavo Hamer, Ben Sheaf, Liam Kelly, Josh Eccles and Jack Burroughs but a loan/permanent departure, would mean that another player would be required. Let’s take a look at our options below;

Will Vaulks (Cardiff City, Championship) 

Cardiff City midfielder Will Vaulks has had a very good season for the club under Steve Morrison but is currently out of contract and is yet to sign the new deal at the club. Vaulks made 36 appearances in the Championship last season, he scored and assisted a combined four goals and he also has seven caps for the Welsh National team. He has a passing success rate of 73.8% which is actually quite high, especially for a side who were in a relegation battle for the first half of the season. Vaulks is a similar style of midfielder to Ben Sheaf so he would be providing a lot more experience to the side alongside captain Liam Kelly. 

Thomas Van Den Belt (PEC Zwolle, Dutch Eerste Divisie)

Midfielder Thomas Van Den Belt is currently set to see his contract at the club expire at the end of the season according to TransferMarkt. Despite PEC Zwolle’s relegation, the 20-year-old has made 30 appearances in the Eredivisie last season, scoring three and assisting one other goal. At 20, he is one of the best performing young defensive midfielders in the division and would be available for a small compensation fee. At 5ft9, Van Den Belt is definitely a strong option for the club and would be an ideal young player to work alongside his former teammate Gustavo Hamer. Like Vaulks, Van Den Belt also has a passing success rate of 73.8% and ideally he is a more defensive version of Jamie Allen. Although this move is definitely a different option compared to a usual signing, I am sure Coventry’s scouts will be fully aware of him and how well he could fit into the side with the right kind of development. 

Wilitty Younoussa (Dijon FCO, French Ligue 2) 

Cameroonian midfielder Wilitty Younoussa has had an excellent debut season for Dijon in France last season. He made 20 appearances in the league and picked up two assists in the process. Younoussa is 20-years-old so again, despite him being out of contract, it would require a small compensation fee but he is valued at £600,000 so it’s definitely affordable. I would argue, he has a similar style of player to Chelsea’s Ngolo Kante. He would require strong development work but is someone that Robins could definitely shape into a very good midfielder. He plays for the same club as former Coventry City target Jonathan Panzo and the Skyblues also have past experience in France so this is definitely not a far-fetched suggestion. He’s a good, ball playing midfielder who is brilliant at interceptions but the only downside is the fact that he picked up six yellow cards last season, which was almost one every other game. However, he is young and discipline is improved with age and experience. 

Transfer Targets - Central Midfielders

Coventry City don’t typically use central midfielders in their exact roles. For example, Jamie Allen spent most of last season, playing as an attacking midfielder whilst Gustavo Hamer played defensive midfield. Therefore, I’ve picked out several players that can be played in either attacking or defensive roles.

Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership) 

Lewis Ferguson has had another very strong season for Aberdeen despite the club having one of its worst seasons in the last few years in the Scottish Premiership. The 22-year-old made 31 appearances last season, scoring nine goals and assisting once. At 5ft9, Ferguson is a very similar player to Jamie Allen except the Scotsman has a very good goal scoring record from midfield, something Coventry have been lacking for the last couple of seasons. He has earned a reputation as one of the best players in the league outside of Rangers & Celtic and rightly so. He is currently valued at £1,800,000 and is under contract until June 2024. Therefore, it would take a good fee to persuade Ferguson to move to Coventry but he would definitely be a player I’d Love Coventry to sign. Except, I could see him being the replacement should Gustavo Hamer make a permanent departure this summer. 

Panutche Camara (Plymouth Argyle, League One) 

Plymouth’s star man Panutche Camara has been a brilliant acquisition since his arrival from Crawley Town. Last season, Camara made 40 appearances in League One, scoring four and assisting a further six goals. This means he averaged a goal contribution every four games which for a midfielder is particularly impressive. Camara has handed in a transfer request at Home Park which has been accepted meaning Camara will definitely have a new club next season. He loves a tackle but his passing distribution and ability to take on players is also very good. He has a passing success rate of 82.4% which is extremely impressive and would suit Coventry’s style of play perfectly. Camara is also an international for Guinea-Bissau. Given he’s only valued at £250,000, I would definitely be in favour of Coventry making a move for him this summer. 

Josh Laurent (Reading FC, Championship) 

Reading midfielder Josh Laurent has had a solid season for the club last season, helping them avoid relegation to the third tier in the process. The 27-year-old made 40 appearances in the league last season, scoring twice and assisting a further four. At 6ft1, Laurent would be a powerhouse for any club in the Championship and from memory, he had two very good games against Coventry last season. His passing average is 82.4% which for a side who struggled all season, is very impressive. Laurent is out of contract this summer and is stalling over accepting a new deal with the club. He also adds both pace and physicality into Coventry’s midfield if he came here and with his wages not as high, it’s definitely a realistic option for Coventry. 

Liam Walsh (Swansea City, Championship)

Swansea midfielder Liam Walsh would be a welcomed return to the Skyblues after a very impressive spell in the 2019/2020 season when Coventry cruised to the League One title. Walsh hasn’t had a very good spell at Swansea and spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull City. At Hull, Walsh made eight appearances in total but failed to contribute to a goal. Sometimes players just ‘fit’ a club, that is the case with Walsh and Coventry. Swansea haven already suggested that Walsh will he made available for transfer and given his low value, Coventry is definitely a realistic option for Walsh. If we can keep him fit, he adds a lot of attacking presence in the Skyblues midfield but the only issue with a possible deal is the wages as Swansea gave him a significant wage increase to fend of Coventry’s interest. 

Paddy Lane (Fleetwood Town, League One) 

Fleetwood Town youngster Paddy Lane has had an incredible break-through season after arriving from Hyde United. The 21-year-old made 37 league appearances last season as Fleetwood avoided relegation to the fourth tier. Lane scored five goals and assisted a further eight assists in the process, becoming one of the best young players in the division last season. Paddy Lane is set to enter the final twelve months of his contract at the club and also made his breakthrough with Northern Ireland’s U21s side. Coventry City are used to bringing through young talent from other clubs, such as Fabio Tavares from Rochdale or Josh Reid from Ross County. Therefore, I would definitely like to see Coventry take a look at Lane this summer, because with the right training, he could make his breakthrough into the first team very quickly and his true value wouldn’t be as high as he’s still, technically unproven. 

Dawson Devoy (Bohemians FC, League Of Ireland Premier Division) 

Midfielder Dawson Devoy has been one of the standout players in Ireland for the last few seasons. The 20-year-old made 16 appearances last season for Bohemians and made two appearances in the UEFA Conference League, giving him vital European experience at a young age already. Devoy scored five times from midfield last season and although the Irish league is nowhere near as quality as the Championship, he’s still young and already carries several very good qualities such as his passing, finishing and his overall creativity. The Irishman is only 5ft5 so coping with the physicality of the Championship to begin with could be an issue but with a release clause of just £125,000, I believe this is certainly a player that’s worth pursuing. He already had interest from MK Dons last summer but he turned them down.

Transfer Targets - Attacking Midfielder

Coventry City will definitely be in the market for at least one attacking midfielder this summer, possibly even two depending on how many squad players Mark Robins wants to bring in. 

Ravel Morrison (Derby County, League One)

This isn’t an obvious choice but Derby’s Ravel Morrison had an outstanding season last season despite the clubs relegation to League One. The 29-year-old finished the season, making 36 appearances, scoring four times and assisting a further four in the process. He’s also returned to the Jamaican international set-up following his performances for Derby and things are finally starting to look bright again for a player who has undeniable talent but hasn’t had the best of luck in his career. He is currently out of contract at Derby and with the uncertainty regarding their takeover and social media posts from the player, it’s very unlikely that he will remain in League One next season. We know he has reportedly got attitude issues but Coventry are not shy of a player like that e.g. Jonson Clarke-Harris, Todd Kane and Luke Thomas. 

Kasey Palmer (Bristol City, Championship) 

Admittedly, I had him written down before details of his move to Coventry came to light. The 25-year-old was limited to just six appearances last season but in truth, Bristol City have never utilised him properly. From the videos/montages I’ve watched, Palmer is a player that always looks to make things happen when his confidence is high. His range of passing and his vision will allow Coventry’s strikers, in particular Viktor Gyokeres and Matt Godden to thrive off as they love making those runs. Palmer will have a tough pre-season ahead as his match fitness isn’t high but if his 2016/2017 season is anything to go by, he is one heck of a player and reuniting with his former coach Adi Viveash could be exactly what he needs to really capture the very best of his ability. 

Elliot Anderson (Newcastle United, Premier League) 

Newcastle U23s midfielder Elliot Anderson returns to the club after a very successful loan spell at Bristol Rovers last season. The 19-year-old made 21 appearances last season, scoring eight and assisting five as Bristol Rovers went from the bottom half to finishing in the final automatic promotion place. At 5ft8, Anderson would have a similar affect to Jamie Allen except the fact that Anderson is a natural attacking midfielder. His best player traits have to be his pace and skill but he can also take set-pieces. This is Proven by his exceptional free-kick for Newcastle’s U21s earlier on in the season. In terms of his personal qualities, Anderson is the ideal attacking midfielder for a side that love to pass the ball. He averages 3.5 shots per 90 which is ideal for Coventry given sometimes we are guilty of over-playing the ball far too much. He also averages 2.4 arial wins per 90 which for a smaller player is almost unheard of. This would be a season long loan deal which makes it much better for Coventry. 

Jack Rudoni (AFC Wimbledon, League Two) 

AFC Wimbledon midfielder Jack Rudoni has had a season to remember for himself despite the clubs relegation to the fourth tier of English football last season. In 41 games, Rudoni scored twelve and assisted five. This means he had a total goal contribution of seventeen goals which meant that he finished as the fourth best U21s midfielder in the country. The only players that did better were Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson, Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. He also finished second in the lost of goal contributions for U23 players in league one, only beaten by MK Dons’ Scott Twine. His best assets are definitely his crossing, Ariel duels and his interceptions. Traits you wouldn’t necessarily apply to an attacking midfielder but that also gives him the versatility to drop into a more defensive position if required. He would be a cheap alternative to Scott Twine but at 20, it means he also has plenty of time to be given the development to succeed in the second tier. 

James McAtee (Manchester City U23s , Premier League 2) 

Manchester City U23s midfielder James McAtee finished the Premier League 2 season as the player of the year, an award previous won by the likes of Liam Delap, Curtis Jones and Reiss Nelson. The 19-year-old made 22 appearances for Manchester City at U23s level last season and scored 17 goals as well as 7 assists. This meant he has 24 goal contributions in just 22 games, which is utterly sensational. The next step for McAtee will surely be a loan move as he’s yet to experience men’s first team football on a consistent basis. He is a similar style of player to Callum O’Hare and wages could be an interesting one because Coventry could avoid paying a high wage if Manchester City were desperate to loan him out. I do think this is a potential option but I would expect them to want McAtee to join a more established side like Burnley or Watford. 

Harvey Vale (Chelsea U23s, Premier League 2) 

Chelsea U23s midfielder Harvey Vale has caught the eye in the clubs youth system and was rewarded with five first team appearances last season in the FA Cup and EFL Cup as well as appearances in the EFL trophy. The 18-year-old scored five and assisted a further three goals in 18 appearances for the club. Vale is certainly an option given the clubs links to Chelsea already and with Coventry’s past history of developing young loanees such as Dujon Sterling, Adam Armstrong and Jack Stephens. Like McAtee, this would be a loan option as his future at Chelsea remains unclear at the moment but with the Skyblues in the market for squad players, this is definitely a possible option. 

Transfer Targets - Wingers

I am aware that Coventry City don’t play with wingers, however I have picked out some possible options of players who have a past history of playing in the number ten role or as a support striker. 

Marcus Harness (Portsmouth FC, League One) 

Marcus Harness is without a doubt Portsmouth’s best player and is about to enter the final twelve months of his contract at Fratton Park. Last season, Harness featured 44 times in all competitions last season, scoring twelve and assisting a further seven. Although he’s a winger, Harness can operate in attacking midfield which would suit Coventry perfectly. Also he is a local lad having been born in Coventry. Harness’ best player traits have to be his pace, crossing ability, key passes and dribbles. All of these are ideal characteristics for a typical Coventry City attacker because we are a counter attacking side who pass the ball and love to create chances. Due to his contract status, a figure around the million pound mark is likely to be accept but an offer just under that is also more realistic. 

Tom Lawrence (Derby County, League One)

Derby captain Tom Lawrence has had a very good campaign despite Derby suffering relegation to league one last season. In 38 league games, Lawrence managed eleven goals and five assists in the process, becoming the clubs standout player. Lawrence can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder and would suit Coventry’s style of play well. The only downside is the players wages, however I included him in the list because I wasn’t sure whether he’s since taken a pay cut due to the clubs financial hardship. If he has, he becomes much more affordable but I’m sure the Welshman will have plenty of clubs after him from the Championship. 

Jamie Paterson (Swansea City, Championship)

Winger Jamie Paterson is someone Coventry fans will know all too well after he scored against us last season as well as back tracking on a potential move to Coventry City last summer because he wanted more money allegedly. The 30-year-old made 38 Championship appearances last season, scoring nine goals and assisting a further nine more in a debut campaign to remember. He is also a Coventry City fan so it would be an ideal move for all parties, especially given that Coventry could do with a more passionate player since Jodi Jones and Jordan Shipley have both left the club. His fee would be cheaper given there is rumours that Swansea are looking to sell him but the only factor is the players wages that could cause a slight issue with the deal. However, he adds goals from midfield which is something that Coventry have been crying out for. 

Issa Kallon (Free Agent) 

Sierra Leone international Issa Kallon is currently a free agent after leaving Dutch side Cambuur following the expiry of his contract. The 26-year-old made 32 appearances in the Eredivisie last season, picking up five goals as well as eight assists in the process. Although Kallon is naturally a winger, he has also played as a centre forward this season, something that would fit into the current Skyblues side. His strongest assets are definitely his pace, dribbling abilities and his creativity. All of these assets are key elements that would really help to improve the current Skyblues attack because we have been guiltily of over playing and/or trying to walk the ball in rather than running at players. In-fact the only players that really did that were Jodi Jones when he featured as a substitute as well as Fabio Tavares and Viktor Gyokeres. He’s a free transfer with cheap wages so realistically it’s a low risk, high reward signing. 

Transfer Targets - Strikers

Coventry City will most likely be after one striker but that could increase if Martyn Waghorn or Viktor Gyokeres leave the club. Wages though make it very tough to find an ideal striker because they cost money. Here are a few suggestions; 

Callum Paterson (Sheffield Wednesday, League One) 

Scottish forward Callum Paterson has plenty of experience in League One but his future remains unclear. He made 40 appearances last season, which only included 23 starts. In that period, he scored six and assisted a further three. However, he netted eight goals in the season before when Sheffield Wednesday were a Championship side. He has pace and strength which are key components for a typical striker but he also has versatility as he can slot in at right-wing-back if required. Paterson wouldn’t be a Gyokeres replacement however, it would be more of a Waghorn replacement should he depart the club this summer. 

Ibrahim Sissoko (Free Agent) 

Striker Ibrahim Sissoko is currently a free agent after leaving French Ligue 2 side Chamois Niort last month following the expiry of his contract. The 26-year-old made 24 appearances last season, scoring ten goals. He is also a striker for Mali, where he has been called up recently to their national team, but is yet to make his debut. He has just left the same club that Coventry signed Julien Dacosta from, therefore Chris Badlan is very likely to know exactly what Sissoko is all about and what he could add to the team. From research, I’ve discovered that his best traits are his physicality and his finishing and in truth, he’s unlucky not to have scored more goals last season. He’s a different type of striker to what we have, which makes him a more intriguing option for the club this summer. 

Frantzdy Pierrot (Guingamp, French Ligue 2) 

Striker Frantzdy Pierrot had a brilliant campaign last season in France and has caught the eye of several sides across Europe already. He made 34 appearances last season, scoring an impressive 15 goals with 4 assists meaning he average roughly 1.7 goal contributions per game which is very impressive. At 27, Pierrot is a Haiti international, scoring 14 goals in 22 international caps. Think it’s safe to say, Pierrot knows exactly where the back of the net is. He is about to enter the final twelve months of his deal in France and would be a brilliant option for a goalscorer. His assists also prove he isn’t just a lone striker and can link up with his teammates. His key qualities have got to be his pace and physicality, combined he becomes a defenders complete nightmare. 

Cauley Woodrow (Barnsley FC, League One) 

Barnsley striker Cauley Woodrow had a difficult season last season, netting just four goals in 28 games but in truth, he was at a side that lacked any sort of creativity and therefore goals were always hard to come by. In the previous season when Barnsley reached the play offs, Woodrow scored twelve and assisted six and provided an excellent partnership with loanee Daryl Dike. Woodrow is a natural goalscorer and those are hard to find nowadays. However, following Barnsley’s relegation, Woodrow is very likely to move on this summer and in truth, a Championship side would be stupid to not take the risk and sign him. He’s on cheap wages and a fee of roughly £1,000,000 could be enough to land him given he only has twelve months left on his current Barnsley deal. 

Liam Delap (Manchester City U23s, Premier League 2) 

Manchester City youngster Liam Delap remains as one of the clubs biggest youth assets but last season he had a difficult campaign with injuries. However, that still didn’t stop him from scoring eight goals in ten league games for Manchester City’s U23s including five goals in his final three games of the season. He also featured in a premier league match against Norwich, an FA Cup game against Fulham and a champions league match against Sporting Lisbon. Delap is likely to spend next season out on loan in order to gain some proper men’s first team experience and given Coventry are likely to be chasing a loan striker, Delap is definitely an option. 

Kaide Gordon (Liverpool U23s, Premier League 2)

My final option is Liverpool youngster Kaide Gordon, who only recently arrived at Anfield following his move from Derby County. In seven appearances for the clubs U23s, Gordon managed three goals. The 17-year-old can operate as a striker or a wide player if required which creates versatility. The deal would be a loan move but Gordon will be keen to get out and play more men’s football. Last season, he made his Liverpool professional debut against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup in which he scored his first professional goal. He was rewarded with a brief substitute appearance for Liverpool in the premier league against Brentford but didn’t feature for the first team for the remainder of the season. Instead he slotted into the clubs U23s, which at 17 is very impressive. 

Our Current Best Starting Eleven For Next Season 

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