Stephen Mfuni has joined Coventry City on loan from Manchester City
Stephen Mfuni has joined Coventry City on loan from Manchester City
Frank Lampard insists Manchester City signing Stephen Mfuni is ready to step up to the rigours of the Premier League after joining Coventry City on a season-long loan.
The 18-year-old, who is not eligible to face his parent club at the Etihad Stadium today, has just eight senior appearances for Watford to his name, but the Sky Blues boss says he comes highly recommended.
Lampard has also revealed that his versatility of being able to play as a left-sided centre-half or left-back is a strength, although with Jake Bidwell not making City’s 25 man squad it’s clear that the teenager will primarily provide competition and cover for first choice full-back Jay Dasilva.
Explaining what qualities the lad will bring to the side, the head coach said: “He’s a high level talent. He’s versatile and can play in different areas at the back end of the pitch for us and has a really good profile. He’s been very impressive in his demeanour and how he’s come into the training ground this week. He’s a very nice lad, very confident, in a good way, and he’s fitted in very well. So we’re very excited to have him.
“I like young players like that within the squad because they bring a youthful energy and natural quality from coming from Manchester City Academy and how he would have been exposed to training coming through there. So it’s a really positive one for us.”
As for whether he’s been brought in as central defender of full-back, or both, Lampard said: “Yeah, it’s the beauty of that versatility. If you look at it, we’re very happy with Jay Dasilva who has started the season really, really well in both games he’s played. He was the best player on the pitch against Hull.
“But we need competition in different areas and we need cover and our own good competition. And Steph can do both and he brings a profile of a centre back that can play in that position which, as we see in many modern day Premier League teams, is something that teams are looking to do. So it’s it feels good for us on that front.”
Asked about the fact that he’s still very young at just 18 but presumably has enough quality that he’s confident the lad can step up to the level, Lampard said: “Yeah, that’s why we brought him in. He had a good time at Watford when he was specifically on our radar in that sort of period last season where he did well before he got an injury and had to go back.
“But as I said before, I think he’s been exposed to a high level at Man City. He’s very highly thought of there and I spoke to people at Man City before and we’ve been able to make the move to get the reference on him, as such, and everything’s really positive. So 18, no problem. If the talent is there, then players can be ready.”