"The club has to" - Frank Lampard drops Coventry City contract hint amid Jack Rudoni, Haji Wright talk | OneFootball

Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni have proven key parts to Coventry City's strong star to the new season

Frank Lampard has dropped a potential hint on contract extensions for Jack Rudoni and Haji Wright, who have both impressed in what has been a blistering start to the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

The pair have been important players under the 47-year-old, with the American currently leading the way in the Championship goal scoring charts for this season with eight goals from his first nine appearances.

Rudoni, meanwhile, is currently out injured, but retaining his services in the summer was a huge coup for the Sky Blues following a standout debut campaign.

Coventry have had a difficult few years with contracts, with the likes of Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres departing with just one year remaining on their respective deals.

Meanwhile, Callum O’Hare walked away from the CBS Arena as a free agent as his contract expired without any agreement on an extension, leading to his move to Sheffield United.

Frank Lampard keen to future-proof Coventry City with Jack Rudoni, Haji Wright contract extensions

Lampard has claimed that the prospect of a new contract is a good incentive for players to compete at their best, and that it’s a good motivational tool for the club.

He’s also suggested that it’s key that Coventry must hold onto their best players, hinting that more proactivity is needed when negotiations extensions for key parts of the first team squad.

Reports have suggested that Rudoni is "close" to agreeing a "bumper" new contract at the CBS Arena, while Wright is also reportedly in discussions over fresh terms with under two years now remaining on his current deal with the club.

Supporters will naturally be eager for added security over the futures of the two players, who will both have key roles to play if the Sky Blues are to achieve promotion back to the Premier League.

“Every club has different opinions, right, about what strategies they adopt with contracts but I think generally you want to keep your best players at the club,” said Lampard, via Coventry Live.

“If they deserve new contracts and if it’s the right time then you have those conversations and you move forward with them behind the scenes whilst everything is going on.

“And it’s a good carrot for players to be performing well and to be in that position if it comes around.

“They have to play well to earn those things and as a club you try and future proof yourself against situations, which is not always easy in the modern day when there’s a lot of noise.

“So there’s no absolute to this but the club has to try and keep their best players.

“If you want to have sustained performance and keep moving forwards, as much as you want to bring players in, keeping your best is clearly a big deal.”

Coventry’s promotion push

Coventry narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, losing in stoppage time of extra time in their play-off semi-final with Sunderland.

But the Sky Blues have bounced back from that disappointment with a strong start to the new campaign, with their sights set on a return to the top flight for the first time since 2001.

Lampard’s side are top of the Championship table with 19 points from a possible 27 going into the current international break.

Next up for Coventry is a home clash against Blackburn Rovers on 18 October in a 3pm kick-off.

Jack Rudoni and Haji Wright have earned contract talks

Wright’s contract expires in 2027, so it is time for talks to take place as Coventry could be at risk of losing him next year otherwise.

He is in white hot form, and is proving his importance with his current run of goals, so he’s earned a new deal to keep him at the club long-term.

Meanwhile, Rudoni’s deal doesn’t expire until 2028, but last summer already saw some interest in his services from rivals.