Frank Lampard guided Coventry City to the top of the Championship, but the former Chelsea boss is said to be keen to move up the ranks further to cement their promotion status.
Coventry City remain in pole position for promotion to the Premier League, but manager Frank Lampard is not resting on his laurels. Further reinforcements are on the way and it could start with the loan rush of Romain Esse.
England Under-21 winger Esse starred in the second division with Millwall before joining Crystal Palace for £14.5 million in January last year. However, the situation at Selhurst Park is not so simple for him, having played just twice in the league this season.
According to the Telegraph, Coventry are not the only Championship team considering a deal. However, negotiations have begun and Lampard is said to be hoping for a conclusion sooner rather than later.
Coventry have lost just three of their 25 league games so far and sit top of the Championship with eight points. But they haven’t won a game by more than one goal since November and Lampard may feel they need fresh blood to get them over the line.
There is also interest in the Sky Blues’ current frontline, which includes West Ham fans Haji Wright and Ellis Sims. However, the Hammers appear to have turned their attention elsewhere, with Lazio’s top scorer Pablo Tati Castellanos and Gil Vicente both expected to move to the London Stadium.
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Sims’ early goal against Charlton on New Year’s Day wasn’t enough to earn them three points, but Lampard said: “They had some moments of pressure, but it’s disappointing that we got the points because that’s where we are. Sometimes we sit back and say, ‘Okay, we’re in a really tense period and we’re trying to keep everyone fresh, so we’re going to get the points.’
“We’re not as clinical as we were earlier in the season, but that was always going to happen. I don’t think there’s any team in this league that keeps winning, winning, winning and continues like that.”
Palace are keen to take Esse on loan as the Eagles prepare to announce the signing of Brennan Johnson. Wales international forward Johnson is expected to be available for Sunday’s game against Newcastle following his £35m move from Tottenham.
Oliver Glasner’s side drew 1-1 with Fulham in their first game of the new year on Thursday. Esse made a rare cameo off the bench in the final minutes, replacing Justin Devenny, as Tom Cairney’s goal for the visitors canceled out Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener.
Palace suffered an injury scare when Will Hughes left the field early, with Glasner saying: “Yeah, he just felt fatigue everywhere around his hip, then his hamstring, then his adductors, then his thigh…”
“We need to evaluate him further, but of course we hope we don’t miss him for the next game, because I don’t think anyone will be back for the Newcastle game and we need him.”
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