Coventry City star could be affected after "very strange" Milan van Ewijk transfer situation | OneFootball

Kaine Kesler Hayden may be left frustrated as Milan Van Ewijk's Wolfsburg move stalls

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...

Milan Van Ewijk has been subject to plenty of transfer speculation this summer, with it being widely accepted early doors that the exciting Dutch full-back would move on from the CBS Arena, after a successful two-year stint at Coventry since arriving from Eredivisie side, Heerenveen in 2023.

In preparation for their reliable right-back's departure, the Sky Blues brought in Kaine Kesler-Hayden as a direct replacement for £3.5m.

Bundesliga outfit, Wolfsburg, have been the front-runners for Van Ewijk's signature this summer.

However, in a transfer saga that seems to be never ending with less than a week to go until the window's closure, it has been reported by journalist Sacha Tavolieri via X that the potential deal to Germany is now stalling.

With Kesler-Hayden now signed and Van Ewijk potentially remaining with the Sky Blues, this could mean that Coventry have two top-quality right-backs on their hands, and could spell danger for their new £3.5m signing, who could receive little game-time if the Dutchman were to return to the squad.

Milan Van Ewijk's potential return could leave no room for Kaine Kesler-Hayden

With Coventry City being in this unique situation with the transfer deadline fast approaching, if Van Ewijk was to stay at the CBS Arena, this could lead to a frustration from Kesler-Hayden, who was originally brought in to be their starting right-back. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may not turn out that way.

Football League World's Coventry City fan pundit, Chris Deez, is unsure where Kesler-Hayden slots into the team if their number one full-back stays in the West Midlands this summer.

Chris said, "It's a very strange situation this, because we've been preparing for Van Ewijk's departure basically all summer. We knew from the get-go that he was going to be the one player targeted the most by big teams. We signed Hayden nice and early in preparation for that. Hayden has looked really good in the times that he has played. Obviously, he was fantastic last season for Preston as well."

"We've still got the problem of not having enough central defence cover. It looks like Lampard is transitioning Bidwell into a centre-back position. Maybe he might do the same with Hayden. I don't know."

"Surely the lad, after being bought with £3.5m, isn't going to be happy sitting on the bench."

"We've got injuries further up the pitch to the likes of Sakamoto. I also don't think Lampard's really settled on a consistent front three. Maybe Hayden could be used out on the wing. He's definitely got the pace for it. I don't know, it's a very strange one.

"I don't see him rotating between two right-backs. I don't know if there's any potential for Hayden to move over to the other side and go left-back as much as I like Dasilva. I think Hayden is probably going to turn out to be a better player than Dasilva, so who knows, he might be able to be a bit of a utility player for us."

Milan Van Ewijk still expected to bid farewell to Coventry City

Despite the ongoing transfer saga, FLW's Coventry fan pundit, Chris, still believes that their trusted full-back will depart the CBS Arena this summer, creating a starting spot for Hayden in his natural position.

Chris said, "I think, to be honest, we've still got nearly a week left of the window. I think there's every chance that Milan [Van Ewijk] still moves on. Wolves were interested in him not long ago, Fulham were interested in him for quite a while, there were the likes of Besiktas, in pretty sure Galatasaray were mentioned."

"So, I still think he'll move on and Hayden comes in to replace him, and then we just need to bring in some right-back competition, maybe a younger player again to cover for Hayden."