Frank Lampard has explained why Taiwo Awoniyi has become Coventry City’s first-choice striker, Footynaija reports.
The legendary Chelsea midfielder praised Awoniyi’s performance against Sunderland while insisting he must keep working to hold his place in the team.
Awoniyi has started five Premier League matches since joining Coventry from Nottingham Forest in August, more than any of the club’s other centre-forwards. He has also started the last two games against Sunderland and Everton.
The 28-year-old is ahead of Sidiki Cherif and Ellis Simms in the battle for a starting spot, although Lampard wants all three forwards pushing each other for a place in the team.
Speaking ahead of Coventry’s meeting with Everton, the former Chelsea midfielder explained why he believes having three recognised strikers is important for a Premier League club.
“We want competition there and I think it’s really important to, as a Premier League team now, have probably three centre forwards,” Lampard said, per Coventry Post.
“Because if you have two you’re always living on tenterhooks if one gets injured for any period of time and I think a lot of teams now will carry three.”
Lampard explains what makes Awoniyi stand out
Lampard said Coventry brought Awoniyi to the club because of his experience and expects him to compete with Cherif and Simms for the starting position.
“We bought him [Awoniyi] for his experience, we’ve seen him do it, but I also want him to push Sidi and Sidi to push him and Ellis to push them both and have that kind of idea at the top of the pitch,” he added.
The Coventry boss was particularly pleased with Awoniyi’s display against Sunderland on October 31. The striker scored in the 3-1 victory, his first Premier League goal for the club.
“But Taiwo played [against Sunderland] exactly like the sort of striker that we want him to be at the club for and we hope he’ll get better than that. He obviously has had a broken start with a red card as well but I was very, very pleased with him.”
Awoniyi has scored twice in nine appearances across all competitions this season, including one goal in the Premier League and another in the EFL Cup.
His start to life at Coventry was disrupted by a straight red card against Brighton in September, which led to a suspension. However, he has since returned to the starting XI and scored against Sunderland.
Lampard also made it clear that none of his strikers would be guaranteed a place in the team.
“I respect all the strikers we got here. I like to see them trying to get in the team and then play the way that Taiwo played to stay in the team.”
Awoniyi’s displays at Coventry City earned him a place in Nigeria’s squad ahead of the Super Eagles’ clash with Tanzania on Friday.
