Coventry City boss Frank Lampard is desperate to keep hold of attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni this summer, and EFL Analysis can reveal what he has told the Sky Blues hierarchy about his star pupil.
Coventry City concluded last season in a heartbreaking defeat in the Championship play-off semi-finals to eventual winners Sunderland.
Since then, transfer speculation has been rife at the CBS Arena for some of the Sky Blues’ prized assets.
It emerged this week that Wolfsburg want Milan van Ewijk after EFL Analysis revealed that Coventry want around £8m for van Ewijk this summer amid interest from the Bundesliga and newly promoted Burnley.
Regarding Jack Rudoni, EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal what Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard has told Coventry chiefs about the future of his star pupil amid the Premier League interest in the midfielder’s services.
Frank Lampard reacts during Luton Town FC vs Coventry City FC in Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Gary Oakley/Getty Images
What Frank Lampard has told Coventry chiefs about Jack Rudoni amid Newcastle links
Reports emerged earlier this week that Newcastle are eyeing Rudoni after adding the 24-year-old to a shortlist of options after his impressive season for the Sky Blues.
The Magpies are no strangers to talent shopping in the second tier this summer after Newcastle signed Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton, and now Eddie Howe’s side have joined a growing list of Rudoni admirers.
EFL Analysis revealed earlier in the window that Sheffield United like Rudoni, as do Southampton and Leicester.
Now, EFL Analysis’ Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, has explained what Lampard has told Coventry chiefs about the midfielder’s future amid the Newcastle links.
Bailey said: “Coventry don’t want to let him go. They’re very happy with how things are and Frank Lampard’s very happy with this squad. He’ll testify to this, but Mark Robins worked really hard on this squad and it happens a lot in football.
“It’s not just Frank, it’s a manager like Robins who can work on a squad for years, and now I think you’re seeing the fruition of that.
“Obviously, he’s only brought in two full-backs so far and upgraded the goalkeeper with Rushworth, but I think Frank has got the squad exactly where he wants it.
Statistic Jack Rudoni in 24/25
Games played 50
Goals 10
Assists 13
Jack Rudoni’s statistics for Coventry City in the 2024/25 Championship season
“Now, keeping Haji Wright and Rudoni is huge for Coventry. I think that’ll be a brilliant summer if they didn’t sell them, because that squad showed last season what they’re capable of. It would be a brilliant window and they’ll be right up there.
“People at Coventry believe that as well. It’s what Lampard has been telling the owners, and he’s telling Rudoni to stick with him, too.
“Let’s see how that one pans out, as Rudoni would not be going to Newcastle to start anyway, would he?
“He’d be signed as a squad player there, so I think there’s a good chance that Frank could persuade Rudoni to stay if it comes to it.”
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard consoles Jack Rudoni after defeat against Sunderland AFC in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi Final Second Leg
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Keeping Jack Rudoni will be pivotal to Coventry City’s promotion push
Rudoni cemented himself as one of the best players in the Championship last season in his first term for the Sky Blues after joining from Huddersfield Town.
The Englishman’s attacking output was outstanding, and he proved that he could impact momentous games at crucial moments during the play-off campaign.
Rudoni scored a bullet header to equalise against Sunderland in the first leg, which was eventually ruled out by Eliezer Mayenda’s late winner after profiting from van Ewijk’s error.
In the pre-season friendly against St Pauli last weekend, Rudoni was not in Coventry’s squad due to a fitness matter, and Lampard’s call was not affected by the midfielder’s uncertain future.
Lampard will be hoping to better last season’s feat in the upcoming campaign, which begins with a trip to Hull City tomorrow afternoon for Coventry, and retaining Rudoni’s goalscoring prowess will be imperative to that promotion push.