Football League World
·14 July 2024
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·14 July 2024
Coventry City should do everything in their power to keep a hold of Ben Sheaf and Haji Wright this summer if they wish for success next season.
Coventry City could be a real threat next season in the Championship.
Mark Robins continues to take this Coventry City side to new heights as their hunt for Premier League football continues into the next campaign. Last season, the Sky Blues finished ninth in the Championship, but it was their FA Cup antics that stole the headlines.
Robins led his side to an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium against Manchester United, and they put up a spectacular fight. The Premier League giants were 3-0 up, but Coventry completed a miraculous comeback to make it 3-3 and take the game to a penalty shootout.
Unfortunately for the Sky Blues, Manchester United won the shootout, but the Championship side were able to leave the capital with immense pride.
Next season, Coventry will be hoping for at least a play-off finish in their quest to earn promotion to the top flight. Their squad is full of talent, but it is absolutely vital that the club can retain their biggest stars and fend off any incoming interest.
Ben Sheaf and Haji Wright are two names that could certainly garner some interest this summer, but Robins will be determined to make sure they are playing for the Sky Blues for the full duration of the 2024/25 campaign at the very least.
Football League World looks at the importance of holding on to these two Coventry City stars this summer.
The 26-year-old came on leaps and bounds last season for Coventry and became one of their most important assets in the middle of the park. Sheaf made 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and assisting two. His leadership skills became apparent as he often wore the captain's armband and proved to be a reliable defensive midfielder.
Most notably, Sheaf wore the captain's armband in Coventry's agonising defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and played the full 120 minutes. Amazingly, the midfielder did not look out of place against the Red Devils and this would have caught the eye of many clubs.
Luton Town, and Premier League clubs Ipswich Town and Fulham have all previously been linked with a move for the midfielder, according to the Sun, but so far nothing has come from it. If Coventry were to sell Sheaf this summer, the fee would be around the £10 million mark.
From Mark Robins' point of view, it is of paramount importance that Sheaf remains at Coventry next season. He is someone that Robins can hugely rely on, and his leadership skills in midfield could be vital if the Sky Blues are aiming for the play-offs.
Haji Wright blew Coventry fans away last season with his dominance in attack and his crucial goals. The forward netted a total of 19 in all competitions, but also assisted a respectable eight goals. His ability to play through the middle as well as on the wing made him an important part of Mark Robins' plans.
Considering it was his first ever season in English football, the 26-year-old defied expectations and was arguably one of the signings of the season in the Championship.
Surprisingly, there has been little known interest in Wright from elsewhere, but it does seem only a matter of time until he is lured away from the Sky Blues. Although the club can not afford to lose him this summer as Mark Robins should be looking to build his team around the forward next season.
He is their main attacking threat, alongside Ellis Simms, with whom he formed a formidable partnership at the top end of the pitch last season for Coventry. The Sky Blues should be doing absolutely everything in their power to keep a hold of the 26-year-old as, if last season is anything to go by, he can help push the club into the play-offs with his vital goals.
Simms seemingly thrives alongside Wright, so him staying at Coventry would suit his attacking partner perfectly. With the sad departure of Matty Godden, the Sky Blues simply cannot afford to see another forward leave.