Coventry City could repeat Jack Rudoni trick by beating Southampton to Oxford United agreement

Coventry City can now begin working on preparations for next season, after they were knocked out of the Championship play-offs at the semi-final stage by Sunderland on Tuesday night.

After taking the lead on the night and levelling up the tie, the Sky Blues ultimately fell to defeat in agonising fashion, as Dan Ballard headed home the winner deep into stoppage time of extra-time to send the Black Cats to Wembley.

Nevertheless, it has still been a hugely positive season for Frank Lampard’s side.

While it may have ended in another play-off heartbreak, there is plenty of reason for optimism surrounding the club heading into next season.

The Midlands outfit will require quality rather than quantity in the transfer market this summer, if they are to compete at the top end of the table again next year. They have already been linked with a player who could prove to be an excellent signing.

Coventry City are interested in Oxford’s Tyler Goodrham

Earlier this week, Football League World exclusively reported that Coventry are one of several clubs chasing a summer move for Oxford United’s Tyler Goodrham.

However, with Middlesbrough and Southampton both also keen on the youngster, the Sky Blues look set to face a battle with some of their divisional rivals for Goodrham’s services.

The midfielder has been a key player for the U’s on their return to the second tier for the first time in 25 years, and only frontman Mark Harris can match his tally of nine goal contributions.

Although he typically operates on the left of the midfield for Oxford, the 21-year-old is extremely versatile and has been used almost everywhere in the attacking half of the pitch by Gary Rowett this term.

The U’s are in a relatively strong position where Goodrham’s future is concerned, even though several clubs are circling around him at present.

The youngster penned a new long-term contract at the club following their promotion to the Championship last summer, meaning Oxford are well-placed to command a significant fee for one of their key men.

Signing Goodrham could see Coventry repeat their Jack Rudoni trick

With the way that Goodrham has performed this season, it is little surprise to see some of the bigger clubs in the second tier taking interest in the Oxford man.

For Coventry, if they are able to beat Southampton and Middlesbrough to an agreement for the midfielder, then it could bear a striking resemblance to a deal from last summer, which has proven so fruitful for them this term.

This time 12 months ago, the Sky Blues bought Jack Rudoni from Huddersfield for an undisclosed fee.

The then-23-year-old was another example of a midfielder who had shone in a struggling Championship side, and he has gone from strength to strength at the CBS Arena this season, ending the campaign with ten goals and 12 assists.

With the way that Goodrham has performed for Oxford over the last few seasons, it would be no surprise to see him progress on a similar trajectory if he were to move to Coventry too.

The Irish youth international now has three seasons’ worth of senior football under his belt since progressing through the U’s youth academy, and he has seamlessly adapted to Championship football this term, after previously starring in his boyhood club’s promotion from League One.

Goodrham’s quality, combined with his positional awareness and understanding, would make him an exciting signing for several Championship sides, and having become a key player in the division at such a young age, he has huge potential to improve further.

Rudoni’s performances have caught the eye all season, and with the Sky Blues’ hopes of Premier League football now over for another season, it wouldn’t be a shock to see top-flight clubs take an interest in their star man this summer.

Tyler Dibling’s namesake emerges as brilliant alternative to €15m Saints star

Southampton’s wishlist name, Tyler Goodrham, can be a potential Mateus Fernandes replacement in case the latter leaves Southampton this summer.

Very recently, Southampton received a transfer interest that must’ve sent shock waves among the club board. Not because it was surprising, but as Nottingham came tracking for their best player this season, Mateus Fernandes.

Just imagine how Saints fans will feel, watching the talented midfielder win Southampton’s Player of the Year award in his debut season, but knowing that he is to leave soon.

While a move here can be a significant one in Fernandes’ career, it will be a major step back for the Saints. In fact, arguably, an even bigger one than the departures of Aaron Ramsdale and Tyler Dibling, combined.

Needless to say, Southampton need a replacement signing soon. But what coincidence that they are tipped to pursue prodigy Tyler Dibling’s namesake to count for his teammate Fernandes’ summer departure.

Ok, let’s break the suspense. Southampton are linked to Championship talent Tyler Goodrham to replace their valuable mainstay, Mateus Fernandes.

Southampton tipped to pursue Tyler Goodrham as Fernandes’ successor

As per Football League World, Southampton is among the clubs active in the race for the versatile rising star, Goodrham. Having the ability to control the game from multiple positions, the Saints believe the 21-year-old can succeed Fernandes in his midfield role.

Honestly, given his Championship numbers this season, Goodrham feels a candid fit to fill in Fernandes’ void. But the same can’t be said for him, defensively.

While he has been a second-division hit, Tyler has mostly operated in attacking options, which is his only drawback. And that’s where he lacks to a year junior, Mateus Fernandes, for his defensive contributions.

Yet, this is exactly why boss Simon Rusk holds Mateus Fernandes in such high regard, for his potential at just 20 years of age.

Simply said, replacing the irreplaceable Fernandes is going to be Southampton’s biggest task this summer.

What they can do is, instead of a like replacement, sign an attacking option like Goodrham and pair him up with a defensive profile, to replace Fernandes’ all-round game.

Importantly, it remains to be seen how Southampton rebuilds its midfield with its heart, Mateus Fernandes, missing.