It’s never quiet in the world of Coventry City – but this summer’s transfer window has been crazier than ever.
Not only have Mark Robins’ side already landed six summer signings but they have also, thanks to dubious and unverified twitter transfer accounts often ending in zone, hub or centre, found themselves linked with the likes of Mario Balotelli and Jack Butland.
Our Sky Blues writer Tom Leach has been handed a list of the craziest summer myths and been asked to explain each and every one…
Rumour: Coventry City will wear a Kappa kit next season
TL: Coventry City will wear Hummel next season, once again – and that is great news.
The Danish kit supplier did an excellent job last season and kit sales were through the roof.
There have been some delays with the new kit, as can be expected during the biggest recession on record, but now that sponsors ar starting to emerge the kit is not too far away, I’m told.
Rumour: Fankaty Dabo isn’t injured, he’s on his way to Norwich City or Nottingham Forest
TL: Fankaty Dabo is very much injured and will be staying with Coventry City this season.
I am certain there will be interest from further up the Championship but not right now.
Dabo has struggled with a hip injury for some time and during the summer the club had it checked out and realised they needed to operate to make it go away for good. The surgery went really well and Dabo is now back in training trying to get back to full fitness as soon as possible.
(Image: Coventry City FC.)
Early indications suggest he will return at the end of September, but we’ll wait and see.
Rumour: Jack Butland is on Mark Robins’ radar
TL: Have people forgotten how good Marko Marosi is?
I did wonder if the Sky Blues would sign a goalkeeper this summer, not to replace Marosi but to support him considering we haven’t seen all that much of Ben Wilson so far.
Wilson is a really popular figure amongst the City player and is a real character (most goalkeepers are!).
But no, Jack Butland is not on City’s radar.
Rumour: Ben Sheaf is demanding insane wages at Coventry
TL: I have seen this mentioned here and there on social media and have heard nothing to suggest that wages are in any way a stumbling block in negotiations.
Ben Sheaf is, last I heard, away on holiday enjoying a private break during his pre-season at Arsenal and that could explain any delay in negotiations, although his agent will be speaking to Coventry City throughout.
We’re an impatient bunch, aren’t we? The club will be talking to Arsenal and Sheaf to try and strike a deal, last I hear talks were still ongoing, and if a deal is agreed then great, if not the club will move onto other targets. He isn’t the only midfielder in the world.
Rumour: Coventry City are in talks to sign Mario Balotelli
TL: No, they’re not. The striker’s reported €43,000-per-week wages will sadly prevent any deal from happening unless he is willing to take a 75% wage cut.
The only way the Sky Blues would land Balotelli is if a sponsor decided to foot the bill to pay his immense salary.
And even then, Balotelli isn’t exactly a Mark Robins player. The 30-year-old has caused far too much trouble during his career so far, often making headlines above his talent.
This one is, obviously, nonsense.
Rumour: Liam Walsh has not turned up to Bristol City training and could return
TL: I have checked this and he was there. He may not have shown up on any of the club’s training ground pictures but he was there, I’m told.
He’ll play a big part for Bristol City this season as he certainly has the talent.
Shall we just let him go now? Not only have we got plenty out of him but we have already replaced him with Gustavo Hamer. We can’t play both of them!
