Coventry City told Jake Bidwell transfer exit "makes most sense" - left-back decision looms | OneFootball

FLW’s Sky Blues expert has weighed in on what defensive depth means for the rest of the summer transfer window.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Coventry City have further strengthened their defensive ranks with the summer arrival of Miguel Angel Brau.

The 23-year-old left-back, recruited on a free transfer from Spanish side Granada, signed a four-year contract to become Frank Lampard’s first addition of this year’s summer transfer window.

His arrival, however, has inevitably raised questions about squad depth on the left side of Coventry’s defence.

With Jay Dasilva and Jake Bidwell already competing for places, Lampard suddenly finds himself with three senior options for one position.

Coventry City face left-back dilemma after Miguel Angel Brau’s arrival

Football League World spoke with our resident Sky Blues fan pundit, Chris Deez, for his take on whether Coventry’s left-back depth should lead to the departures of Bidwell or Dasilva before the end of the summer transfer window.

“Our left-back situation is a bit of a weird one, because I'm not really sure what Brau has been brought in to do,” Deez told FLW.

“He seemed to be put out on the left wing in preseason, so I don't know if Frank Lampard has got other ideas about where he's going to play him.

“Left wing has been a bit of a problem area, not one of our main problem areas - it's just been something sort of underlying, what with Haji Wright being out injured for so long a couple of times.

“Ephron Mason-Clark often looks really good on the left, but he's also got a really good eye for goal -
I think he should be played more centrally, but hey, that's another story for another day.

“If Brau’s going to be kept on the left wing, then I think we're absolutely fine to keep both Dasilva and Bidwell.

“If we had to get rid of one of them, it would obviously be Bidwell. Derby were showing interest a couple of weeks ago. He was deployed at centre-back the other night, which was a bit strange, but it seemed to work fine.

“We've got a severe lack of cover at centre-back, so if Bidwell can transition there, I'd be absolutely fine with him staying, because he's a good player, he's a hard worker. 
He loves the club, the fans love him.

“Dasilva has really stepped up his game, big time.
I wasn't a fan of him early on in his Coventry career, but late last season, he really, really stepped it up, and he's become a bit of a fan favourite.

“So it's hard to say at the minute. Give it a couple of weeks and then maybe see what we can do - if he prefers to play Brau at left back, or if he's going to push him up to the left wing.

“Like I say, I think if anybody has to go, then Bidwell makes the most sense. 
As much as we like him, he's the oldest of the three and that money can be used to strengthen in more important positions, like at centre-back.”

Whether Lampard chooses to retain all three or cash in on a more senior option, Brau’s addition reflects Coventry’s growing ambition, and preparation to take that next step.

Depth on the left flank not only provides competition for places but also offers tactical flexibility, particularly if Brau is utilised further forward.

With Dasilva improving and Bidwell proving his versatility, the Sky Blues appear well-stocked in an area that has occasionally posed challenges in recent seasons.

Ultimately, this strength in depth could be a decisive factor in helping Coventry build on recent progress, compete more consistently across the campaign, and perhaps mount a serious push for promotion back to the Premier League.