Coventry City have signed Manchester City teenager Stephen Mfuni on loan.
FRANK Lampard believes Stephen Mfuni’s high talent level will make him a success at Coventry City this season.
The Sky Blues signed the 18-year-old defender on loan from Manchester City late in the transfer window.
Mfuni can play at centre-back and left-back and has made one appearance for Man City’s first team.
He enjoyed a productive loan spell at Watford last season before an injury cut his temporary stay at Vicarage Road short.
And despite his young age, Lampard believes Mfuni’s exposure to Man City’s first team environment will help him make the step up to Premier League football this season.
Lampard said: “He’s got a high talent level, he’s versatile to play in different areas at the back end of the pitch.
“He’s a really good profile, he’s been very impressive in his demeanor on the training ground.
“He’s very confident in a good way, he’s fitted in very well and we’re excited to have him.
“I like young players like that in the squad, they bring a youthful energy and natural quality coming from Manchester City’s academy.
“He had a good loan at Watford and was on our radar in that period last season before he got an injury and had to go back.
“He’s been exposed to a high level and he’s very highly thought of at Man City.”
Coventry allowed Liam Kitching, Oliver Dovin and Raphael Borges Rodrigues to depart the club on loan on transfer deadline day.
Kitching returned to Yorkshire with Sheffield United, Dovin linked up with Leyton Orient in League One and Raphael also moved to the third tier with Burton Albion.
Lampard explained Kitching’s departure came from the player’s desire to play regular football this season while Dovin and Raphael need consistent minutes to aid their development.
Lampard added: “Kitch has been a huge part of the journey to get to the Premier League.
“He was an incredible player for us last season and vice-captain of the football club.
“He’s a player who wants to play regularly and I have a lot of respect for him as a man and a player.
“It felt the best solution for him to go and play and Sheffield United have got a very strong leader and character.
“Oliver Dovin needs to play games, he’s fit after 18 months without playing regularly.
“He’s a high talent goalkeeper, we saw that before his injury, we’re trying to take the right care of him.
“With Rapha, he needs games too and it’s the best thing for him and for us is for him to go and play regularly.”
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