Coventry City are officially planning for life in the Premier League. After 25 long years away, the Sky Blues are coming back.
Frank Lampard has overseen a first place finish with one game still to play. The Championship title is already in the bag. Now comes the hard part, staying up.
The club face a busy summer transfer window. They need to build a team capable of surviving long term. Sunderland and Leeds have both shown it’s possible, reaching that magical 40 point mark that typically equals safety.
Lampard knows this level. He’s managed Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League before. But keeping Coventry up? That might be his biggest challenge yet.
RUSHWORTH WANTED AND COVENTRY ARE FAVOURITES
One player Lampard will be desperate to keep is Brighton loanee Carl Rushworth. The 24 year old goalkeeper has been a revelation.
According to The Standard, Coventry are currently the front runners to sign Rushworth permanently this summer. The Sky Blues are set to make an offer to Brighton to get it done.
There’s competition. Newcastle United are in the market for a new first choice shot stopper. But Coventry are seen as the favourites following Rushworth’s impressive form.
Lampard is understood to be keen to get this deal over the line. He wants to play an important role in recruitment, no more relying on others to pick the players.
‘A FIXTURE OF THE SIDE’ THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE
Rushworth joined Coventry last summer on loan. He’s been an ever present. All 45 league games so far. Not missed a single one.
Sixteen clean sheets. Forty five goals conceded. Championship champions.
He knows the club. He knows the fans. He knows how everything works. He’s settled.
A switch to Newcastle might have been tempting. But he’d have been competing with Nick Pope for game time. The pressure would have been immense. Maybe a step too far at this stage.
Rushworth is believed to be keen to continue working with Lampard. That’s a huge factor. He wants to stay at the CBS Arena.
‘AGGRESSIVE SUMMER OF INVESTMENT’ PLANNED
Rushworth is expected to become Coventry’s first permanent signing of the summer. And it won’t be the last.
The club are planning an aggressive summer of investment in the first team. They know survival won’t come cheap.
Coventry travel to Watford on Saturday for their final game of the Championship campaign. Then the real work begins.
A REAL COUP IF THEY PULL IT OFF
Let’s be honest. Signing Rushworth permanently would be a real coup.
He’s 24. He’s proven at Championship level. He’s only going to get better. And he already knows the system.
Brighton have Bart Verbruggen as their main man. Rushworth needs to play. Coventry can offer him that.
Lampard knows what he’s getting. Rushworth knows what he’s signing up for. This one makes sense for everyone.
