Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard has praised Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka after his strong debut for Coventry City.
The 28-year-old joined Coventry from Brentford in the January transfer window but missed their previous match against Oxford United because his wife was about to give birth. He returned to action in their crucial clash against Middlesbrough and was named in the starting line-up.
Onyeka played 75 minutes at the Coventry Building Society Arena, winning duels, pressing high and helping his team stay organised in midfield.
After the game, Lampard expressed his delight with the Nigerian midfielder’s performance, saying his energy and ball-winning ability were key reasons he was signed.
“He was outstanding – the energy, the ball winning,” Lampard said. “He was so visible with his pressing, break-up play and quality on the ball. He reads the game quickly, covers a lot of ground and can play as well.”
Lampard added that Onyeka’s experience in the Premier League and with the national team gave the squad a boost.
“When you bring in a player of that level, it gives everybody a lift. It’s not easy to come into a game at this level, but it looked like it was there,” he said.
Onyeka played alongside Matt Grimes in midfield, and the pair helped Coventry look more solid in the centre of the pitch. Lampard said Onyeka brought a different profile to the team and had already impressed in training.
“He was tired and cramping up, that’s why he had to come off, but he will get fitter. His impact was high, and I’m very pleased with him,” Lampard added.
Coventry’s win over Middlesbrough moved them to the top of the EFL Championship table, although only by a single point.
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