Is Hadji Wright The Answer? We don't think so.
Blogs

Is Hadji Wright The Answer? We don't think so.

Is Hadji Wright the answer? We don't think so.

Coventry City are sleeping giants in English Football. Once founding members of the Premier League, the 2000/01 season saw them relegated to the Championship after 34 consecutive seasons in the top flight, and the Sky Blues haven't been back since.

The side has come close to a return to the big time in recent years, losing in dramatic fashion on penalties to Luton Town in the 2023 play-off final. Last season saw them lose in the play-off semi-finals to recently promoted Sunderland, and it's also worth adding that Frank Lampard's outfit had a trip to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final the same year, but lost in an epic game that went to penalties against Manchester United.

Frank Lampard was appointed as Coventry manager back in November 2024, and with his tenure nearly coming to a full 12 months, the side is in a steady position. The Sky Blues sit 6th in the Championship currently after 6 games, and many believe they have a strong bid for promotion this season. However, it's still very early in the season, and many may question whether Coventry have what it takes to keep up the fight.

More specifically, their attacking output is questionable. USA international Hadji Wright is entering his third season with the Sky Blues and has netted 37 in 89 appearances. A respectable record, but is that enough to match the ambitions of Coventry City? We don't think so.

Coventry's Squad

Frank Lampard has one of the most complete and experienced squads in the division. The wingback pairing of Milan van Ewijk and Jay Dasilva is one of proven quality. Starting life at the Chelsea academy, Jay Dasilva spent time at Charlton and Bristol City before completing a move to Coventry in 2023. Dasilva has been a stalwart on the left for the Sky Blues, making 86 appearances and boasting a host of EFL experience at 27 years old.

Milan van Ewijk signed from Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen in 2023 and has made 106 appearances thus far for Coventry. Regarded as a fan favorite, van Ewijk is known for his astute defensive displays at right-back, although he is not averse to adopting more attacking roles owing to his blistering pace.

The transfer window saw Coventry sign defensive midfielder Matt Grimes from Swansea. with the player being a stalwart in their team ever since his arrival.

With solidity and consistency around the park, the same cannot be said about their attack. Both Hadji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante have shown glimpses of brilliance for the Sky Blues, yet we don't think it's enough to push them over the line. Injuries and inconsistency have characterized Wright's time at Coventry, and it may be time to get him some help.

Wright in Comparison

Despite boasting a fine goalscoring record this season so far, scoring 5 in 6 in the Championship, Hadji Wright's lack of consistency, accompanied by his injury record, stops him from becoming a true EFL talisman for Coventry. Over the years, most sides that have gone on to earn promotion to the Premier League have had a striker up front who has scored over 20 goals in the Championship. Wright's highest ever Championship tally is 16 goals. He is also one of Coventry's main outlets for goals, with other players struggling to add much in terms of goalscoring.

To compare, previously promoted sides have multiple players who are in double figures in terms of goalscoring. For example, last season, Joel Piroe scored 19 goals and Daniel James scored 12 for Leeds. Furthermore, Josh Brownhill scored 18 for Burnley, and Zian Flemming scored 12 as the side was promoted.

This is a common trend in teams that have been promoted over the years. Therefore, Coventry will need more to truly make an impact.

What are the Options?

Selling Hadji Wright may not appear the smartest move, but adding a few more strikers into the roster may help ease the pressure off him.

Ahead of the far distant January transfer window, early rumors have suggested that Chicarito is looking at a stunning return to England in the EFL. The summer transfer window was hit and miss for Coventry in terms of attackers; they were linked to a host of attacking names yet struggled to nail anyone down. Italy U21 international Seydou Fini was on the radar; however, the transfer never materialized.

Eyebrows may be raised when assessing the overall quality of Frank Lampard's coaching ability at the top level, but one thing is undeniable - the man has an eye for talent. Every club he has managed, he has made some shrewd acquisitions that have gone on to have fantastic careers.

The January transfer window is expected to be a busy one for Coventry as they look to add more goalscoring threat to their attack and cement a play-off spot, perhaps even more. Frank Lamp

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist

Arthur Turner

EFL Transfer and News Writer

Videos
See more
IS GINO POZZO REBUILDING WATFORD?!?!
In this video, we dive deep into the current state of Watford FC, the summer transfers, backroom changes, and whether the club is moving in the right direction under Pozzo’s ownership.
OUR PREMIER LEAGUE 2025/26 PREDICTIONS
We give our Premier League predictions, reveal our signings of the season, and analyse how clubs and their rivals stack up.
Why The EFL Is REAL Football (And The Premier League Is Broken)
We break down a massive week in the EFL, from Wrexham's shocking start to the ownership crisis that could see Sheffield Wednesday genuinely dissolve.

Join our newsletter

Become a part of our community and never miss an update from Football Park.