Coventry City are now in talks to sign a Premier League reinforcement in an attempt to boost their promotion bid, according to recent reports.
Lampard "disappointed" by Charlton draw
They may be eight points clear of their closest challengers Ipswich Town, but that doesn’t mean Coventry have been perfect as of late. In fact, the Sky Blues have won just two of their last five Championship games and were once again denied victory in frustrating fashion against Charlton Athletic last night.
Having taken the lead courtesy of Ellis Simms in the third minute, the Championship leaders likely believed they were on course for a vintage thrashing. Charlton, however, simply waited for their moment and struck their equaliser through Joe Rankin-Costello with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Lampard, who looks set to stay at the club despite the Chelsea job opening up, told reporters: “I’m a bit disappointed with the point because in the first half of the season we went win, win, win – everyone’s expectations go up – but there is also a reality of coming to a tough place.
“We had some big chances in the second half where we could probably make it 2-0 and then we would probably go on to win the game.
“We had a great start and it was a well-taken goal. I was very happy with that.
“It’s not easy to control these games because they can become a bit messy, direct and second balls. That isn’t a criticism. They are a team very much in the image of their manager – I mean that in a positive way. We had the cleaner chances in the game and we didn’t take them.”
Although still clear at the top, Coventry seem unlikely to take any chances in their chase for promotion and have already reportedly turned towards the transfer window as a result.
Coventry open talks to sign Esse with Lampard "hopeful"
As reported by The Telegraph’s John Percy, Coventry have now opened talks to sign Romain Esse on loan from Crystal Palace this month and Lampard is “hopeful” that a deal can be agreed.
The Crystal Palace man has struggled to make his mark ever since arriving in South London, but a loan move to Coventry could reignite his best form back in the Championship.
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At 20 years old, no one will be rushing the former Millwall man to become the finished product quite as yet and Lampard will be well aware that he could be welcoming a future star in need of a confidence boost.
There is no denying Esse’s talent, however, and England U21s boss Lee Carsley wasted no time before dubbing the Crystal Palace man “brilliant” even as his Selhurst Park struggles continued late last year.