Keeping double Coventry City weapon can ease Ben Sheaf and Callum O'Hare exits: View | OneFootball

Coventry City may be resigned to losing key men Ben Sheaf and Callum O'Hare with a play-off place now unlikely, but the Sky Blues will still have two top attackers among their ranks to build the team around next season.

Mark Robins' side look destined to stay in the Championship next season, with a nine point swing needed to leapfrog Norwich City with just three games of their campaign left.

As is the nature of football, some of their standout players may now look to seek pastures new in the summer, with both Ben Sheaf and Callum O'Hare recently linked with moves away.

Sheaf joined Coventry on loan from Arsenal in 2020 and made the move permanent in the summer of 2021 after spending seven years in the Gunners' youth sides.

He has since made 141 appearances in sky blue, scoring nine times.

O'Hare followed a similar path, joining Coventry on loan from Aston Villa in 2019 then permanently moving to the CBS Arena in 2020 following a League One promotion-winning season, and he has now made 179 appearances and scored 22 goals for the Sky Blues.

Losing either player would be a big blow heading into next season, but in Haji Wright and Ellis Simms, Coventry have two of the Championship's standout strikers, and fans should fancy their chances of a competitive 2024/25 season provided both are lining up in sky blue.

Midfield exits look likely

A defensive midfielder by trade, Sheaf has been essential in breaking up the play for Robins’ side this season, who are extremely effective in transition as a result of his work.

According to fbref, the 26-year-old is top of his side's charts for tackles won per 90, with 2.2, as well as being top of dribblers tackled per 90, with 1.64.

He was linked with a move to Luton Town in the January transfer window, and a strong end to the season has likely put him even further in the frame for a move to the Premier League in the summer, especially after he produced a masterful display in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

He has featured 34 times for Robins' men this season, netting four goals and providing two assists.

O'Hare netted his tenth goal of the season in the semi-final against United, and looks set to end his five-year stay at the Sky Blues with his contract up this summer and no talk of a renewal.

The attacking-midfielder has been a key player for City since recovering from a serious cruciate ligament injury and is joint-first for goal creating actions per 90 this season, with 0.56.

He has recently been linked with moves to Celtic and Rangers, as well as three unnamed La Liga clubs that reportedly sent scouts to watch him against West Brom in February.

Fulham, Everton and Southampton have all also reportedly been tracking the 25-year-old.

Faith in the forwards for the future

Despite being resigned to possibly losing both Sheaf and O'Hare, the Sky Blues have two strikers that they can pin their hopes on for years to come.

Ellis Simms was a highly sought after man last summer, and chose to join Coventry from Everton in a deal worth up to between £6-8 million.

He endured a slow start to life at the CBS Arena, netting just twice in his first 25 games before hitting a hot streak at the turn of the year and scoring 17 in his last 25 games, including hat-tricks against Rotherham and Maidstone United.

He has certainly settled in Mark Robins' side now, and he will hope to carry on his form into next season with Coventry likely to be even more reliant on his goals.

USA international Haji Wright joined Coventry for a club-record £7,700,000 from Antalyspor last summer, and has also had a solid season in front of goal considering it is his first in English football.

The 26-year-old has netted 18 goals and notched seven assists in 47 games in all competitions, and has also hit form in recent months with 10 goals in his last 17 games.

Wright is a useful player for Robins' to have, with his versatility allowing him to play on either wing or at centre-forward behind Simms this season.

With both players settled and now nearing their prime as attackers, next season could see an explosion of goals at the CBS Arena if Coventry can get their recruitment right and build the team around their attack, and Sky Blues fans need not worry about potential departures as long as they have Simms and Wright.