Coventry City have recorded one win and two draws across their last five league outings, but Frank Lampard’s team are now set to strengthen their attacking options with the addition of a forward during the January window.
Brandon Thomas-Asante and Haji Wright have been regular sources of goals for much of the campaign, while Ellis Simms has also begun to make his mark in recent weeks. That has come amid Jack Rudoni’s fitness issues, which have hampered him after an impressive 2024/25 season.
Goals have been shared throughout the squad, with centre-backs chipping in and Victor Torp providing consistency from midfield. However, a lack of natural width has been evident for much of the season so far.
Coventry currently have just two recognised wide players in Ephron Mason-Clark and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. Mason-Clark has been involved in nine goals across 23 appearances in all competitions, with his influence growing recently as five of those contributions have arrived in the last nine matches.
Still, a winger capable of operating on either flank and adding depth to Coventry’s promotion bid in the second half of the season could prove decisive for Lampard, who appears close to securing his target early in the window.
Frank Lampard edges closer to first January signing for Coventry City:
John Percy reported Coventry’s interest in Romain Esse only days ago, revealing that discussions had taken place with Crystal Palace over a loan move for the winger. Esse has struggled for regular minutes at Selhurst Park since joining from Millwall last January.
The Palace wide man could play a key role in Coventry’s push at the top end of the table. He is not the only option Coventry have monitored from Palace either, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi also admired and Liel Abada previously linked with a move to the Championship.
The proposed loan move for Esse now looks to be agreed. Sky Sports journalist James Savundra has provided the latest update on a deal involving one of Palace’s pacey wide players.
Esse, who has yet to start a league match this season for Crystal Palace, is expected to join Coventry on loan until the end of the campaign. Sky Sports state that the deal involves a player with four-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, who has slipped further down the pecking order following Brennan Johnson’s arrival from Tottenham earlier this week.
Romain Esse’s Championship goal and assist record:
Coventry are set to acquire a player blessed with impressive athleticism and the flexibility to play on either wing, offering genuine competition to the club’s current wide options.
The loan market has already delivered positive results for the Sky Blues, with Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Carl Rushworth impressing between the posts in recent fixtures. Like Rushworth, Esse boasts significant long-term potential, but he also has plenty to contribute immediately.
The 20-year-old’s return of six goals and one assist in 61 Championship appearances (Transfermarkt) may not be eye-catching at first glance, yet there was clear justification behind the FA Cup holders’ decision to invest an initial £12 million in him last January.
A temporary move could provide Esse with the chance to rebuild momentum and belief, while giving Coventry a valuable boost as they look to push themselves over the line in the final 20 matches of their 2025/26 campaign.