Coventry City supporters are debating the potential signing of Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City this January.
The Sky Blues remain top of the Championship table, but the winter market still offers the club an opportunity to bolster Frank Lampard’s first team squad.
Coventry have not been in the Premier League since 2001, and have twice missed out on promotion through the play-offs in the last three campaigns.
So fans will be keen to see the recruitment team work to ensure that their position at the top of the table can be reinforced with new additions this month.
Three games without a win in a row have raised tension at the CBS Arena, potentially emphasising the need to look at any possible options that could be signed this January.
Coventry City fans debate Kalvin Phillips January swoop
Kalvin Phillips playing for Ipswich Town
One option that has been mentioned as a possible option to sign this January is Phillips from Man City.
The midfielder joined the Premier League side after a reported £42 million transfer agreement, but he has struggled for form and fitness, leading to loans to West Ham and Ipswich Town.
It’s been suggested that Lampard could bring him into the fold, and that Coventry could give him half a campaign to rebuild his career.
However, fans are not fully convinced by the idea due to his struggles in the last couple of years, claiming it could be a waste if he doesn’t rediscover his form in time.
Wages have also been cited as a possible stumbling block, with estimated figures from Capology suggesting that the 30-year-old is earning £150,000 per week.
However, some supporters believe that it's time for owner Doug King to start sanctioning increased wage spending given they are on the path towards promotion to the Premier League.
The Sky Blues lead Middlesbrough by six points at the top of the Championship table after 26 games played.
Frank Lampard
Kalvin Phillips would need massive pay cut to be worth Coventry’s time
Phillips was once good enough to play for an England side that reached the final of the European Championships in 2021, so there’s clearly a talented player there.
However, his fitness issues in recent years mean that Coventry would need him to take a significant pay cut in order for a deal to be worthwhile now.
The midfielder agreeing to a loan with an option to buy that’s dependent on promotion to the Premier League could be a sensible move, as he’ll have six months to prove himself and could then be of use in the top flight to Lampard’s side if he can manage to get back on track.
No matter what kind of deal Coventry could look for, a big pay cut would be needed as Phillips earns far more than the club can afford right now.