Frank Lampard told to eye Crystal Palace man over ex-Celtic FC star at Coventry City - '£10-15m' transfer claim made | OneFootball

Both Liel Abada and Romain Esse have been linked with a January move to Coventry City

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 been linked with reinforcements in the wide attacking areas, with both Liel Abada and Romain Esse rumoured to be of interest to the Sky Blues.

After a blockbuster start to the 2025/26 EFL Championship season, Coventry City's form has taken a bit of a tumble in recent weeks.

The Sky Blues remain six points clear ahead of second-place Middlesbrough, but that gap has slowly been whittled away game by game, with Coventry having won just two out of their last eight league fixtures.

Fears around the CBS Arena that this dip in form is a sign of things to come must be quickly extinguished by head coach Frank Lampard, who looks set to delve into the transfer market for recruits in attacking areas.

Despite maintaining the best goalscoring record in the division, Coventry have targeted former Celtic winger Liel Abada as a potential option out wide, as well as Crystal Palace forward Romain Esse, whose minutes have been severely limited for the Eagles this campaign.

Both would present interesting options for Coventry, with Abada available for a loan move from American side Charlotte, given the new MLS season does not get underway until March.

Football League World's Coventry fan pundit, Chris, believes that the club should opt for a move for former Millwall winger Esse this January ahead of Abada, given Esse's previous experience in the Championship.

Indeed, in an ideal world, Chris would welcome the acquisition of Esse on loan with a "£10-15 million" purchase option.

Chris said, "To be completely honest, I'm not that clued-up on Abada, not really familiar with him."I'm not an avid follower of the Scottish Premier League. I've looked him up, seen some highlight videos and clips, and he does look like a very capable player."He hasn't really done much in the MLS, hasn't really impressed. He seems to be a bit inconsistent."I think we're in a bit of a bind here, because I want to say that I'm more bothered by Esse from Palace, but the same could be said about him."He's not really had any chances at Palace yet. He's looked inconsistent. He's not really impressed when he has been given a chance. But from what I remember of him at Millwall, he's a very, very competent player. He's absolutely ready for a Premier League push."I think he could probably be a player that, if we can get a loan-to-buy deal sorted, and he's sort of around the £10-15 million mark, which is pretty much what Palace paid, I think he could be a really smart signing."He's more than capable in the Championship. We saw that for a couple of seasons, so I think a top-of-the-table push for Premier League promotion would really suit him."I don't think he'd get in the starting lineup ahead of Ephron Mason-Clark or Sakamoto, but I think he would be an incredibly good cover."Let those guys have the occasional rest because they have worked their socks off week in, week out for the whole season so far, and they're tired."I think I would prefer him over Abada. I think he's a bit more of a proven commodity, let's say."

Both Liel Abada and Romain Esse present interesting opportunities for Frank Lampard this January at Coventry City

Though Coventry's attack has not been a weakness at all this campaign, it appears as though Lampard is looking to freshen things up in that area of the pitch this winter.

Indeed, whilst their attack has been by far the best in the second tier this campaign, they lack numbers, especially in the absence of Brandon Thomas-Asante, who has been out of action since late November.

Ephron Mason-Clark is the only obvious option from the left flank in the Sky Blues ranks, whilst Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is the only real natural option from the right.

Indeed, they have players like Milan van Ewijk and Jack Rudoni who can deputise in these positions if called upon, but with it not being their natural position, Lampard is seeking some more options to help them get them over the finish line.

Abada hit 29 goals and 22 assists in 112 appearances across all competitions during his time with Celtic, whilst Esse made 66 senior appearances for Millwall before his £14.5 million move to Crystal Palace in January 2025.

Both are seemingly available for loan this January, and both would add some much-needed depth and quality to Coventry's ranks, as they look to regain form and push for the league title.