Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has revealed that Taiwo Awoniyi's frustration with limited playing time at Nottingham Forest was the primary reason the Nigerian striker left the club to join the newly-promoted Premier League side. Lampard made the disclosure during a press conference ahead of Coventry's opening Premier League fixture against champions Arsenal.
Awoniyi's Frustration Over Game Time at Forest
Awoniyi joined Coventry after spending four seasons at the City Ground, where he had been Forest's record signing following his arrival from Union Berlin in the summer of 2022. Despite several memorable performances for Forest, the 27-year-old's time at the club was disrupted by injuries that gradually pushed him down the squad's pecking order and out of the club, as noted by BBC Sport.
Speaking via the Coventry Telegraph, Lampard was candid about the circumstances surrounding the transfer and what the club expects from the striker. "There is a reason why Taiwo left Nottingham Forest and came to us. We really like him and hope he's going to be great for us. We are aware of that, and I would flip that to the mental side of Taiwo. Probably, he is frustrated with game time," Lampard said.
Lampard Values Hungry Players
The Coventry boss added that a player's hunger for minutes can work in a manager's favour, provided the club manages him carefully. "I appreciate a player who is eager to play and secure his minutes. Naturally, we must take care of him and prepare him. However, I value a player who aspires to be the key figure and play more minutes," he said.
Coventry City also signed Sidiki Cherif from Turkish club Fenerbahce, and with Haji Wright out injured, both Cherif and Awoniyi are in contention to play against Arsenal in the season opener.
Why Coventry Signed Awoniyi
Legit.ng previously reported that manager Frank Lampard confirmed Awoniyi's Premier League experience was the sole reason the Sky Blues signed him to help their ambitions. Awoniyi brings top-flight experience from his time at Forest, where he scored crucial goals despite injury setbacks, and his arrival is seen as a key addition to Coventry's squad as they prepare for life in the Premier League after a 25-year absence.
