Coventry City must use potential advantage to beat Sunderland AFC in Chelsea transfer race | OneFootball

Coventry City should cash in on the Frank Lampard factor to sign Chelsea's Harvey Vale amid interest from Sunderland

Chelsea prospect Harvey Vale is reportedly interesting Sunderland, Anderlecht and Eredivisie outfit Herenveen.

This is according to Ben Jacobs, who revealed this information on X.

Vale could head elsewhere though - and other teams could potentially take an interest in him.

Coventry City are one potential suitor - and the Frank Lampard factor would likely hand them an added advantage - should they decide to enter the intensifying race for his services next month.

The Sky Blues have been much improved under Lampard, who has picked up ten points from his opening six games after succeeding long-serving ex-manager Mark Robins at the CBS Arena in November.

Only Sunday afternoon's hosting of Millwall comes before the January transfer window, which could well spell excitement for Coventry.

Supporters have already lost hours deliberating and discussing the potential prospects who could be brought to the West Midlands come January and leveraging Lampard's esteemed pedigree and connections within the game is sure to be an important call of duty for Coventry.

One such venture could, and perhaps should, take Lampard back down to Chelsea and strike a deal for Cobham talent Vale, who is being lined up for a January exit amid interest elsewhere.

Sunderland, European clubs interested in Chelsea's Harvey Vale

According to a recent update by journalist Jacobs, Sunderland are interested in Vale alongside Anderlecht and Herenveen. It was previously reported by Mail Sport that a permanent departure from Stamford Bridge is the likely direction for the 21-year-old, who has no shortage of interest and could be available at a discounted price as his contract is set to expire in the summer.

A graduate of the Chelsea academy, Vale has made one first-team appearance this term in the UEFA Conference League, although he's not going to get anywhere close to challenging for contention in Enzo Maresca's Premier League squad.

The versatile prospect has been tipped for big things for many years now, and following a disappointing loan spell with Hull City in the 2022/23 season, he showed signs of vindicating that potential while on loan at Bristol Rovers in League One last time out.

Vale, who is most at home as a left-sided wing-back but can play deeper in a flat four, further forward as a winger or even centrally in either a double-pivot or in the number 10 role, caught the eye with his positional flexibility for the Gas, while his dynamism up and down the left flank made a lasting impression.

It's little wonder why he's seemingly such a hot property at the minute, but Coventry would surely have a unique added advantage if they entered the race.

Coventry City must use Frank Lampard factor to beat Sunderland AFC to Chelsea's Harvey Vale

The fact Coventry are now being led by Lampard, one of the finest players to ever turn out for Chelsea before twice managing the club in separate spells across the last five years, could make all the difference.

Particularly during his first spell in the Stamford Bridge dugout, Lampard earned plaudits for entrusting and promoting the club's prized academy products - transfer ban withstanding - such as Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham.

The former two both shone under him on loan in the Championship with Derby County, and his ability to elevate the trajectory of their careers would surely add plenty of appeal and incentive for a move to the Sky Blues as far as Vale is concerned.

Vale will have encountered Lampard on many an occasion too, and that likely relationship between the two could also help Coventry beat off stern competition while making the move an even more appealing destination for the player in question.

Coventry, meanwhile, could certainly benefit from making an addition to the squad like Vale.

His versatility is the most outstanding asset of his armoury; being technically, physically and tactically accomplished enough to operate well in five different positions at the tender age of 21 and with limited senior experience is remarkable, and would be of huge benefit to a squad which is somewhat lacking in strength in depth.

Lampard has opted to play a flat four thus far at Coventry, but Vale can play as part of a backline even if his quick feet, creativity and direct running mean his development would be best served in the long run by being deployed further forward.

But should the former Everton boss elect to bring back a wing-back system, Vale would likely represent an upgrade on Jake Bidwell and Jay Dasilva.

He would already prove an inspired capture for the here and now, though the long-term upside to signing Vale is what should really be encouraging Coventry chiefs to leverage Lampard as much as possible in order to get a deal over the line at the expense of a divisional rival in Sunderland.