Coventry City boss Mark Robins is looking to make Arsenal youngster Ben Sheaf his sixth summer signing, in a move that would see the Sky Blues spend a ‘six figure sum’ on the 22-year-old.
Sheaf, who has spent the last season on loan at Doncaster Rovers, is said to be close to a move. He managed two goals and two assists in 32 appearances for Rovers, but it was his defensive work for which he received the most praise from fans and the media alike.
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Impact
Sheaf was a huge presence for Doncaster, breaking up opposition attacks and springing his own team on the counter. His pass completion total and pass accuracy percentage compared to the rest of the Coventry City squad were bettered only by Michael Rose.
As for Sheaf’s impact on Doncaster as a whole, the comparison is stark. Whilst on the pitch, his side scored almost 0.5 more goals per game than without him; they also conceded 0.5 less goals per game with him in the side. For a newly promoted Championship side, this could be the difference between a relegation battle and a mid table finish.
The statistical analysis is all well and good, but how exactly will he fit into an already packed Coventry City midfield department? £1.3m signing Gustavo Hamer and club captain Liam Kelly seemed to look very comfortable in the first friendly against Rangers - how would Sheaf improve on what is there?
He was primarily used as a defensive midfielder last season, a position similar to the one captain Liam Kelly has made his own in the last two seasons. However, he is capable of playing a little further forward; in Coventry’s narrow 5-2-2-1 formation that was favoured in League One, his versatility could be invaluable.
Despite a host of midfielders at the club, fans have expressed a need for an alternative to ever-present Kelly. The former Scotland international missed just 10 games in all competitions; an injury in October prevented him from playing in more. There was a feeling amongst fans that the side lacked another defensively minded central midfield player, as Kelly’s injury coincided with a loss of form that saw the Sky Blues win just two of their next seven league matches. Sheaf would give Robins that alternative option, should it be required.
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'Intelligent'
Previous manager Darren Moore explained exactly what Sheaf can bring to a side when he arrived at the Keepmoat Stadium last summer. After his loan move was confirmed, Moore spoke about Sheaf with great praise.
“He’s a lovely footballer. He plays well off either foot, he’s a good technician”, he said. “He’s got good size and structure and he moves well. He’s got a good eye for a pass and is an intelligent footballer.”
Alongside the praise from Moore, Sheaf also received kind words from arguably the most iconic figure in Arsenal’s history; former manager and club legend Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman, speaking in 2017, believed that the then 19-year-old was ‘ahead of the game’. He said: “There is something in him that I believe will allow him to progress always.
“Because he analyses well what’s happening to him, he assesses well what is going on and that’s why I believe he will have a good career.”
A good career is exactly what is beginning to unfold for the 22-year-old. The transfer could be a very shrewd addition for Mark Robins and the Sky Blues; if they can get it over the line.