"If we get offered £6-7m" - Coventry City exit claim made about Ben Sheaf | OneFootball

Ben Sheaf has had his injury issues over the past two seasons

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…

Usually, when sides fall in the play-offs, Premier League sides come knocking to test the waters on how much they can bring players on the periphery of the top-flight for.

Coventry City will likely be one of those sides this summer, with attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni already the subject of interest from Newcastle United and Leeds United, and it's likely that Haji Wright will too, after he had yet another double-digit scoring season this year, doing so in just 29 games.

One player who could be subject to transfer interest this term is Ben Sheaf, after he was rumoured to be looked at by Ipswich Town last summer ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Ben Sheaf was appointed Coventry City's captain last summer following the departure of Liam Kelly, and losing someone as influential as the 27-year-old would be seen as an unfortunate departure on paper.

However, FLW's Coventry fan pundit, Chris Deez, feels that, if the price was right, he wouldn't mind parting ways with the former Arsenal academy man after five years at the CBS Arena.

Injury-prone Ben Sheaf needs to "find his form again" at Coventry City

Ben Sheaf played just 29 times in the Championship this past season. Despite him never playing more than 35 in one term, his appearance numbers in 2024/25 represent the lowest in his five seasons at Coventry.

After starting the season on the shelf, the 27-year-old picked up a calf injury in mid-January, which ruled him out for a month, before missing a further two games just three weeks after his return.

Because of this, Sheaf's market value has dropped, and Deez feels that the club could have cashed in last summer, amid Premier League interest.

"I'm quite 50/50 on whether we sell Ben Sheaf this summer," Deez said.

"I'd be quite happy to see him go, but it'd be annoying that we didn't sell him last summer when his value was much more.

"Since then, he's had a long injury lay-off, came back, got injured again, was rushed back too early and then got injured again.

"Sadly, the most we'd get for him is five to eight million and last summer it was more like 15, when there was Premier League interest from Ipswich."

However, because of this injury record, interest in Sheaf has slowed. Deez didn't rule out the 27-year-old staying in Coventry, but feels like he needs to prove himself slightly in a squad saturated with midfield talent.

He continued: "If he can find his form again, I'd love him to stay as he's been a good captain for us.

"Obviously a lot of it depends on what we do ourselves in the summer and if we bring in any more midfielders."

Coventry City's existing midfield quality may open the door for Ben Sheaf sale

Ben Sheaf is clearly an important part of the Coventry side. Despite injuries, he started 23 league games, as well as both play-off semi-final legs, and all as the captain.

However, the Sky Blues proved at times this season that Sheaf isn't vital to them winning games, and the side won six of their seven league games whilst he was sidelined with a calf injury in early 2025.

On the midfield quality in the squad, Deez stated that he trusts Frank Lampard, one of England's best in the centre of the park, to know his midfield better than any other position.

"He's worked absolute wonders with Jack Rudoni and made him one of the best players in the league. We've managed to keep Jack Allen for another year, too.

"Matt Grimes has come in and done an excellent job, and Josh Eccles is still there to come off the bench, and he was fantastic in the play-offs," he said.

So, there's plenty of midfield depth at Coventry without the addition of their captain, so maybe a sale wouldn't be the worst thing in the world? At least not according to Deez.

"If we get offered £6-7 million, I'd be happy to let him go and use the money to bring in a few decent players," he concluded.