"A class above everyone" - Ben Sheaf name-dropped in Coventry City player debate | OneFootball

FLW's Coventry Fan Pundit has been asked about the club's current best player.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Coventry City have had a very difficult 2024-25 season so far, and few would have predicted the issues that they have had so far in the opening four months of the campaign.

Currently in the bottom half of the table, the Sky Blues have had a slight upturn in results in recent weeks, and draws against both Sunderland and Sheffield United have shown that they have more than enough ability to push further up the league.

However, there is still a great feeling of anger surrounding the CBS Arena after Mark Robins was sacked following the Sky Blues' 2-1 defeat to Derby County before the international break after over seven years in charge.

It was the 54-year-old's second spell at the club, and one that saw him take the team from League Two all the way to the Championship play-off final.

During his time in the West Midlands, he oversaw a great change in the capabilities of the squad, bringing in great talent that have gone on to form great careers - leading to the debate over who Coventry's current best player is.

Ben Sheaf named as Coventry's main man

There is a lot of strength in this current Sky Blues squad, and it is one that is underperforming hugely at this moment in time.

They were expected to be in the fight for a play-off place, as they have done in the last few seasons, and their current lowly position has been a huge frustration for supporters.

Nevertheless, Football League World has asked Coventry Fan Pundit, Ryan Murphy, who he believes is the team's current best player and why they are a step ahead of his teammates.

Ryan told FLW: "Our best player when fully fit, without doubt, is Ben Sheaf. When he's fully fit and on it he's a class above everyone.

"He controls the game, he sees passes that other players can't, he wins the ball back, makes vital interceptions, stops the attack from the opposition and turns it into an attack for us.

"So, Ben Sheaf is easily our best player and when he's not playing for the team, we definitely miss him and there's no one else that can come in as a like for like that can match the way he plays."

Ryan added: "He’s a massive miss when we lose him through injury, so he’d be the one that I would say is our best player.

"I think his injury record is probably the only reason he's still at the club, because there's been a lot of clubs sniffing around him, but I think his injury record puts him off.

"I think he could definitely play in the Premier League."

Ben Sheaf has been extremely impressive this season for Coventry City

While this season has been a disappointing one for the rest of the squad, few can deny the quality of performances that Sheaf has had.

He is a constant in the middle of the park for Coventry, and few in the division have the same level of calm on the ball in tight situations.

His height provides a physicality that is much needed for the Sky Blues to dominate in midfield, and he consistently provides a strong hold in the centre that allows more attacking players to provide a threat.

As Ryan mentioned, his injury record does leave a feeling of wanting more, but if he can stay on top of his fitness issues, there is no reason why he cannot go on to become a Premier League player in the coming years - whether that is with the Sky Blues or elsewhere.

Sheaf was fantastic against Sheffield United on Saturday, and without him in the team, it could have easily been a different result at the CBS Arena.

His passing was accurate, quick and well-judged, but he was also excellent defensively. The 26-year-old successfully completed every single one of his tackles, and barely put a foot wrong as Coventry took a well-earned point off the high-flying Blades.

Consistency at this level is sometimes difficult to find, but Sheaf does offer that in abundance, and he has an extremely bright future still ahead of him.