Coventry City backed for Leeds United transfer - two Sky Blues players won't like it | OneFootball

Coventry have been told to pursue a deal for Leeds United's Ao Tanaka, which would knock Josh Eccles and Victor Torp further down the pecking order.

Coventry City can start planning for life in the Premier League, after a remarkable season for Frank Lampard’s men.

The decision to appoint the Chelsea legend as Mark Robins’ successor was one that divided opinion at the time, as Robins had done a brilliant job for the Sky Blues.

However, Lampard has built on that, and after suffering play-off heartbreak last season, Coventry have been relentless this season to ensure they will be playing against the elite in English football next season, for the first time in 25 years.

Of course, the journey doesn’t stop there for Lampard and Coventry, and the ex-Everton chief will be well aware of just how difficult the top flight can be.

Ao Tanaka would be a shrewd signing for Coventry City from Leeds United

Clearly, recruitment will be pivotal for the Midlands outfit this summer, and their track record in recent years offers reason for encouragement.

A host of new signings are likely to come through the door, and bringing in players who have Premier League experience is certain to be a requirement for some of the additions.

Therefore, it makes sense that there have been calls to sign Ao Tanaka from Leeds. The Japanese international has been excellent for the Whites since he arrived from Düsseldorf, but he has failed to nail down a regular place in Daniel Farke’s best XI this season, despite starring in the recent win over Man Utd.

So, a move could be on the cards, and Tanaka would add energy, drive and technical ability to Coventry, as well as an understanding of what the Premier League is all about.

With Matt Grimes likely to continue to be a key figure moving forward, and the permanent addition of Frank Onyeka to be finalised, they aren’t exactly desperate for midfielders, but Tanaka brings different abilities to the pair, and they could form a very useful three-man unit in the middle of the park.

Frank Lampard will have to be ruthless at Coventry City this summer

Yet, perhaps the one sad consequence of promotion is that it often spells the end of the journey for players who have a connection with the club.

And, if Tanaka did make the move to the CBS Arena, or any other midfielder, it could spell the end of Victor Torp and Josh Eccles’ time at the club.

The duo have certainly played their part in helping Coventry reach the Premier League, particularly Torp, who has registered 12 goal contributions.

But, the pair have struggled to get in the starting 11 on a regular basis, and the arrival of a new midfielder would knock them further down the pecking order.

Of course, you need a big squad to compete, and there will be individuals who are happy to stick around on the fringes. That may appeal to Eccles given his history with the club, as his journey started in the academy, so it would be great for him if he could play a Premier League game in sky blue.

With Torp and Eccles both 26, they are entering their peak years, and it would be understandable if they wanted to find a club where they can show their talent on a weekly basis, even if it’s in the Championship.

We know it’s a short career, and many retired footballers say there is nothing that can replicate playing games.

So, Torp and Eccles may feel they need to move on for the sake of their own careers, and Lampard may need to show that ruthless streak in discarding players who helped them win promotion, even if he will be forever grateful for how they helped.

Sunderland’s success this season has shown the need to make tough decisions when you go up, and that’s what’s in store for Lampard and Coventry.

That could see the likes of Torp and Eccles move on as they try to bring in upgrades on the existing squad. It will be a shame if, or when, that happens, but Coventry’s class of 25/26 will always be remembered in the history of the club.