Following the end of the transfer window, Coventry City now have a very expensively-assembled squad after cashing in on both Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer.
Given that they were in the final year of their contracts, the Sky Blues earned a significant sum for both players. Hamer went to Sheffield United for £15 million, while the Swedish striker joined Sporting CP for £20 million.
This summer saw the arrival of about 11 new faces at the CBS Arena, but can they all qualify to start for Mark Robins in the best possible lineup? Let’s look at FLW’s assessment of his strongest choice.
11. GK: Ben Wilson
Brad Collins was signed as competition from Barnsley, but Wilson will more-than likely keep goal for Coventry this season.
Wilson led the Championship in clean sheets last season with 20 in the regular season and two more in the play-offs, so there’s no feasible way that he will be usurped for now – unless his performances nose-dive.
10. CB: Bobby Thomas
Coventry agreed a £2 million fee to sign Thomas from Burnley this summer, having had good loan spells in League One with Bristol Rovers and Barnsley last season.
It’s a steep fee to pay, but Thomas has started every league game so far and will likely battle with Joel Latibeaudiere, who can play all across the defence, for a spot on the right-hand side of a back three.
9. CB: Kyle McFadzean
McFadzean is an immovable object in the middle of the back three and at the age of 36 he is still going strong.
Until he starts to show a decline then that spot is McFadzean’s to lose, and if that does happen then Robins has a ready-made replacement in the form of Thomas.
8. CB: Liam Kitching
Robins likes balance in defence with a left-footer on the left-hand side normally, but for the first few games of the season he has gone with right-footed Latibeaudiere despite signing Luis Binks on loan from Bologna.
Coventry have now landed their real starting option for that position though in Kitching, who arrived from Barnsley on deadline day.
Including add-ons, the deal for Kitching is more than £4 million, so you’d imagine that spending that kind of money on a defender from League One means he will be in the starting 11 quickly.
7. RWB: Milan van Ewijk
Coventry spent €4 million on a new wing-back in the form of Van Ewijk, and he’s already made an impression with a goal against Watford from a free-kick.
A speedy type, Van Ewijk has Josh Eccles and Joel Latibeaudiere for competition, but his spot should be secure for the foreseeable future.
6. LWB: Jay Dasilva
Dasilva is a player that has competition for his starting spot with Jake Bidwell and new signing Tatsuhiro Sakamoto both breathing down his neck, but for now he remains the strongest option.
Signed from Bristol City on a free transfer, Dasilva brings good Championship experience at the age of 25 and he is also a very pacey player, just like Van Ewijk on the other side.
It wouldn’t be a surprise though if Sakamoto proves to be stronger though once he has acclimatised to English football.
5. CDM: Ben Sheaf
Sheaf is the glue that keeps the Coventry midfield together and he’s been remarkably consistent in his three years with the Sky Blues.
Tied down on a contract until 2026, expect many more solid performances to come.
4. CM: Yasin Ayari
Robins has often gone with a 3-4-1-2 so far this season, but the arrival of Ayari as the temporary Gus Hamer replacement could see him use two more attack-minded midfielders in-front of Sheaf.
The Swede is an exciting prospect from Brighton with three Premier League appearances already for the Seagulls, and big things are expected from the 19-year-old.
