Sky Blues fans would be happy if this is the starting XI come February
HIGHLIGHTS
- Compared to their previous campaign, Coventry City’s 2023–24 season has been dismal due to major player departures and subpar play.Although the team added a number of players in the summer, they have battled to stay out of the Championship table’s relegation zone.Goalkeeper Brad Collins and forward Haji Wright are two intriguing prospects that could improve the team’s performance in the lineup following the January transfer window.
How different Coventry City’s 2023–24 season has been from the previous one thus far.
Even though the Sky Blues’ heartbreaking Championship play-off final defeat to Luton Town was just six months ago, a lot has happened since then, including the incredible journey that Mark Robins’ team completed to get there. Regretfully, most of it has been negative.
Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer, the two players directly involved in the team’s lone goal at Wembley, both left Coventry in the summer to go on exciting new experiences. Despite losing in the play-off final, Hamer did make it to the Premier League, spending £15 million to join Sheffield United, who had just been promoted. Gyokeres took a different route and moved for somewhat more than £20 million, including add-ons, to Sporting Lisbon.
A portion of such cash was utilized to bolster the team during the summer, but their standing close to the Championship table’s relegation spots indicates that the expenditures weren’t very prudently made.
| Coventry City – 2023/24 Signings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Signed From | Loan/Permanent |
| Haji Wright | Antalyaspor | Permanent |
| Ellis Simms | Everton | Permanent |
| Liam Kitching | Barnsley | Permanent |
| Milan van Ewijk | Heerenveen | Permanent |
| Bobby Thomas | Burnley | Permanent |
| Tatsuhiro Sakamoto | KV Oostende | Permanent |
| Brad Collins | Barnsley | Permanent |
| Jay Dasilva | Bristol City | Permanent |
| Joel Latibeaudiere | Swansea City | Permanent |
| Yasin Ayari | Brighton | Loan |
| Luis Binks | Bologna | Loan |
The club will have another opportunity to attempt and add some talent in January, though it appears that Robins may need to spend some time persuading the ownership, as reported by the Coventry Telegraph. However, this is the ideal lineup that City may have by the end of the January transfer window, assuming all goes according to plan.
GK: Brad Collins
The 26-year-old, who was bought in the summer from Barnsley, has finally had a run of games to show that he should be the starting keeper for Coventry.
His recent performances provide a pretty compelling argument for his case
RB: Milan Van Ewijk
You’re probably going to notice a theme here; that a lot of the Coventry starting lineup is made up of players that were purchased in the summer. You could make an argument either way for this being a good or bad thing, but the Dutch full-back has certainly shown his worth since arriving.
CB: Nathaniel Adjei
The Coventry team’s first new recruit. Adjei has demonstrated his value by being connected to numerous elite Championship teams.According to Alan Nixon on Patreon, the Sky Blues have entered the competition to sign the Ghanaian. A “hefty fee,” he continued, would have to be paid; his current club, Hammerby IF, is requesting £3 million.
The Sun claim that other teams interested in signing the 21-year-old include Preston North End, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Leeds United.
CB: Liam Kitching
A £4 million price tag, as per the Barnsley Chronicle, means that it’ll be hard for the manager to not have the 24-year-old as a part of his long-term vision. Kitching’s start to life with the Sky Blues was inconsistent, both in performances and game time, but his recent form has put any concerns to bed.
LB: Jake Bidwell
Bidwell is another player who is benefitting from the recent change in formation.
Since the game against Stoke City, he has played every minute of the side’s league matches.
CDM: Ben Sheaf
The captain has further proven himself to be exactly that, leading by example when others around him haven’t been up to the level.
Sheaf has certainly been one of, if not, the most consistent players in the squad, in this campaign
CDM: Josh Eccles
One of the other players that you could chuck into the conversation of the best performers would be Eccles.
Holding midfield is not an area they need to strengthen.
RM: Tatsuhiro Sakakmoto
You can very easily argue that the decision about who should occupy this position could be like flipping a coin between Sakamoto and his fellow summer arrival, Yasin Ayari.
But the Japanese winger just edges it because of his recent run of good performances.
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AM: Joao Mendes
Naturally, completing chances had been one of Coventry’s main issues. According to Sofascore, all three of their top scorers fell short of their predicted goals. However, they haven’t had a player that consistently plays right behind the forwards; Mendes might be the answer.
The Portuguese attacking midfielder ranked sixth in the Liga Primeira for chance-creating carries prior to this weekend’s matches, per The Analyst. He’s also scoring 0.62 goals every 90 minutes played and creating just under two open play opportunities. With 0.42 goals per 90, Haji Wright is the player who is closest to him in comparison.
This team has really needed an additional attacking aspect this season, and the 29-year-old would provide that.
LM: Couhaib Driouech
Like Mendes, the 21-year-old Moroccan winger gave Coventry something they hadn’t had all season. He is a dangerous player when he is racing at players, having created 24 chances in the first 12 games of the 2023–24 Eredivisie season, four of which ended in goals or assists.
His versatility as a player on either wing would further boost City’s offensive options. Players such as Driouech would provide additional opportunities for the other forwards by taking the defense’s attention away from them.
ST: Haji Wright
The American’s recent efforts over the past several weeks have been far more encouraging, despite his lackluster play in front of goal.
There is still optimism for Sky Blues supporters regarding summer striker signings, since he has scored three goals in the last five games.
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