“Could prove to be too expensive” – Coventry battle QPR and Southampton for 22-year-old: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Coventry City have reignited their interest in defender Alex Cochrane who is now playing his football at Hearts, as per a report from the Daily Mail.

The Sky Blues are joined by QPR and Southampton in their pursuit of the 22-year-old, with Coventry missing out on the defender during the summer.

Cochrane, who has proven his versatility this season at Tynecastle, has operated as a left-wing-back, a left-back and on the left of a back three thus far this season for the Scottish outfit.

The Sky Blues will be hoping that they can exit the January transfer window in better shape than they entered it, with the play-off positions being in reach.

Three of our writers here at FLW have shared their thoughts on the left-sided defender and whether or not Coventry should make a move this month…

Quiz: Can you name which club Coventry City signed these 22 players from?

1 of 22

Kasey Palmer?

Millwall Luton Bristol City Middlesbrough

Billy Mulley

Certainly one of Hearts’ more impressive players this season, it is no surprise to see that the Sky Blues have continued to monitor his progress since arriving on a permanent deal in Scotland.

Cochrane is a player with a high ceiling, whilst his versatility could prove vital during stages of the campaign where fixtures start to pile up.

However, it could prove to be too expensive of a deal for the Midlands club to complete, with Cochrane penning down a three-year deal when he arrived at Tynecastle in the summer.

It will be interesting to see how this one progresses, because the Sky Blues have continued to do their homework on him, knowing that he now has a contract until 2025.

During his time at Hearts, Alex Cochrane has shown his versatility is a key part of his game, as the 22-year-old has become a regular in the SPL side.

The left-back has been a key member of a Hearts side that is pushing for another top-three finish in the SPL and has also shown his pedigree on the European stage as Hearts have competed in the Conference League this season.

You can possibly understand why Coventry are potentially looking at their defence, as they currently have two loan players that will be heading back to their parent clubs in the summer. While at left back, they really only have the option of Jake Bidwell, and he is coming to the latter end of his career now.

If the Sky Blues were to sign Cochrane, he could slot into the Sky Blues’ back three, something he has done at Hearts, and he could also provide competition for Bidwell in the left wing-back role. You would expect the SPL side to stand firm in this window, but if Coventry could persuade them to part with Cochrane, then they would be getting an up-and-coming defender that would fit into Mark Robins’ team.

Justin Peach

Cochrane signing for Coventry would be an interesting move for Robins’ side.

They already possess Bidwell, Doyle and Panzo – all left-footed defenders with Cochrane adding to that, potentially creating an in-balance in their defence.

It would however give them more cover defensively, as well as giving Robins a more forward-thinking wing-back on the left with Bidwell more suited to defensive work.

They need cover in that area but for the time being, it may make sense to find a replacement for Callum O’Hare who will be out for the foreseeable, especially when you consider the number of left-footed defenders already at the club.

Even a right-footed defender would seem more of a priority, one with experience should Michael Rose also be ruled, leaving the Sky Blues with limited numbers in defence.