Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit tips £8m man for Coventry City exit after Frank Lampard snub | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has given his verdict on whether Ellis Simms has a future at Coventry City under Frank Lampard.

Pundit Lee Hendrie believes Coventry City could look to sell striker Ellis Simms this summer after an underwhelming season at the CBS Arena.

Simms joined Coventry from Everton in the summer of 2023, and it was reported that the club paid £8 million to land his signature, although it has been claimed elsewhere that the initial fee was as low as £3.5 million.

The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive first season with the Sky Blues, scoring 19 goals in 53 games in all competitions, including six in the FA Cup as his side reached the semi-finals of the tournament, and he was expected to produce similar numbers again this term.

However, it did not work out that way, with Simms scoring just seven goals in 46 appearances, and he last got on the scoresheet all the way back in February when he netted twice in the 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Despite starting each of the last five league games during the regular season, Simms did not play a single minute during Coventry's play-off campaign, with the striker remaining an unused substitute in both games against Sunderland as Frank Lampard's side missed out on a place at Wembley, and that has led to speculation about his future at the club.

Lee Hendrie issues verdict on Ellis Simms' Coventry City future

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie admitted that Simms has not quite hit the levels expected of him after his big-money move to Coventry, and he predicted that the Sky Blues could look to cash in on him this summer.

"It's an interesting one with Ellis Simms," Hendrie said.

"He was a big signing for Coventry, and they had to shell out a lot of money for him.

"At times, he has worked well for Coventry, but he probably hasn't featured as much as he would have liked this season, with Haji Wright being the go-to man.

"It wouldn't surprise me if they looked to offload him and go down a different route.

"That would be down to what Frank's dynamics are and what sort of players he wants.

"Simms is a big, physical boy, and he is capable of scoring goals, but I think his numbers probably haven't matched up to what the expectations were, which were for him to come in and be that number nine.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he does end up leaving this summer."

Simms is a player that Lampard knows well from his time at Everton, and it was not long ago that he was singing the praises of the striker after his brace at Sheffield Wednesday in February.

However, despite his poor recent form, it was an incredibly big call from Lampard to overlook Simms in the play-off games against Sunderland, particularly as his side needed a goal on both occasions, and it certainly raised eyebrows among Coventry supporters.

Even though it has been a disappointing season for Simms, he would have been able to provide a threat for the Sky Blues in the closing stages against the Black Cats with his physicality and power, but the fact that Lampard did not use him in the biggest games of the season suggests that a summer move could be on the cards.