Coventry City will head into the 2025/26 Championship season as one of the bookmakers’ favourites to win promotion to the Premier League.
The Sky Blues suffered heartbreak in the play-offs last season, with Sunderland claiming a last gasp victory in a thrilling semi-final contest.
The sportsbook linked to Betpanda Casino UK rates Coventry as a leading contender to finish in the top six again, but automatic promotion is not beyond them.
Manager Frank Lampard is eager to improve his squad and the club has already been linked with several players during the summer transfer window.
They are reportedly pondering a move for Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis, and he would a superb addition to the club’s midfield options.
Travis has been linked with Championship new-boys Wrexham, although they appear to have been put off by Rovers’ £2 million asking price.
While the fee may seem excessive for a player whose contract expires at the end of June 2026, the Sky Blues must not hesitate to make a move for the midfielder.
Travis has made 263 appearances for Rovers and their fans are desperate for the club to tie him down to a new long-term contract.
However, with club owners Venky’s not noted for their shrewd decision-making, the 27-year-old could end up heading elsewhere this summer.
Travis spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Ipswich Town after falling out with then-manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.
It subsequently transpired that the Danish boss lacked man-management skills, which caused numerous issues amongst the squad.
Travis returned to Rovers after helping Ipswich to win promotion and was immediately handed a prominent role by new manager John Eustace.
The former Birmingham City boss guided Rovers into play-off contention, but jumped ship in February to take over relegation-threatened Derby County.
After appointing Valerian Ismail to replace Eustace, the Lancashire team’s form fell off a cliff before they staged a late rally towards the end of the campaign.
They narrowly missed out on top-six place, with a draw at Sheffield United on the final day scuppering their hopes of qualifying for the play-offs.
Rovers have made a contract offer to Travis, but the deal remains unsigned and several clubs have expressed interest in signing him.
A reunion with Eustace at Derby has been touted as his most likely move, but Coventry are now in the running to secure his services.
Although Coventry are well-stocked in midfield, a move for Travis makes sense. Matt Grimes and Ben Sheaf are a solid enough pairing, but the Sky Blues need something different.
Travis is a spiky character on the field – a point evidenced by his tally of 11 yellow cards in 38 league appearances last season.
Despite this, his ability to get under the skin of opponents and rile rival fans are attributes which would quickly endear him to Coventry supporters.
Sheaf attracted interest from some Premier League clubs last summer and it would be no surprise if he was targeted again before the end of the transfer window.
Grimes brought a different dimension to the team when he arrived from Swansea City in January, but the balance between him and Sheaf never looked right.
Travis would be a more natural fit alongside Grimes and could be the catalyst for Coventry to mount a sustained challenge for promotion to the top flight.
Even is Sheaf remains with the club, adding Travis to the squad would significantly boost Lampard’s options for the gruelling Championship campaign.
By Michael Cage
