With only a few hours remaining before tonight’s 11 p.m. deadline, Coventry City and its Championship opponents must finish their January business. Will Frank Lampard expand his team or, in fact, let anyone go?
The arrival of Matt Grimes, a ready-made, excellent midfield player who can start right away, for a hefty price tag estimated to be between £3.5 million and £4 million, has compelled the Sky Blues manager make a loud statement. The 29-year-old Swansea captain, who can sit and control or play in a more advanced role, is a talented and dynamic player who may fill a gap the team hasn’t been able to cover since Gus Hamer left in the summer before last year.
Over the past six to eight weeks, City has been linked to a wide range of players in various positions, but the team’s performance may have caused the club to reconsider. Prior to Christmas, an experienced center-half appeared to be on the horizon, but worries about goals being leaked have subsided as a result of a system change and tightening up at the back.
While waiting for Haji Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark to recover from their injuries, Lampard acknowledged earlier in the transfer window that his team could use some “help” on the wings. However, he has once again managed to get results and spark some form by playing with wing-backs, two eights, and a strike partnership up top.
Jamie Paterson, a 33-year-old Coventry native, has been practicing with his hometown team for the past three or four weeks, raising the very real possibility of signing him on a free transfer. Because of his expertise and versatility, Paterson is a no-brainer for a short-term contract through the conclusion of the season. What’s great about him is that the deal doesn’t
must be completed today. He can sign outside of the mid-term window because he is single and departed Charlotte FC, an MLS team in North Carolina.
The only potential problem is that he might have received a lengthier, more lucrative contract elsewhere. However, given his attacking prowess and versatility—playing wide on the left or right, as an attacking midfielder, or as a second striker—he might be the cherry on top of this current transfer window, provided he is offered a six-month contract at the CBS Arena and shows interest.
The City manager has been fairly consistent over the past few weeks in stating that he wants to keep his squad together, a point he was keen to make when first Liam Kitching and then Brandon Thomas-Asante were reported to be wanted by Blackburn Rovers. Regarding outgoings, despite rumors to the contrary, it is highly unlikely that Lampard will let go of any established or senior first team players today. Lampard has been linked to interest in a number of rising young prospects from his former club, Chelsea, but CoventryLive understands that any late loan deal is now unlikely.
The most recent one making the rounds on social media is Josh Eccles, but why would Lampard weaken his hand at a time when the club is gaining ground and getting closer to the top six? Presumably, the rumors that Grimes will have trouble getting playing time have been sparked by his presence. However, the homegrown talent, who recently inked a new long-term contract, is a flexible player who can also provide cover at right wing-back if needed, and City has a lot of games coming up.
Lampard stated over the weekend that “no decision” had been made regarding the recalled players Ryan Howley and Jack Burroughs, and that the team is still open to moving them to another location if they “get good opportunities then maybe they can go and play games.” Overall, it looks like the Sky Blues will have a relatively quiet day.
For more:https://sportchannel.co.uk/2025/02/03/how-is-frank-lam…y-city-transfers/
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