Arriving as competition at right-back, Julien Dacosta comes to Coventry City after three seasons at Ligue 2 level with lower-half side Niort. With Fankaty Dabo firmly established as first-choice at right-back, the addition of Dacosta doesn’t exactly set the pulse racing. However, having an out-and-out right-back to challenge Dabo for his starting role highlights that the club is moving into a position of strength where we can afford to have competition for every position in the side.
Just how much of a challenge Dacosta may put up for Dabo’s starting place in the side remains to be seen. The French second-tier has proven to be a good breeding ground for the Championship – with the likes of Said Benrahma, Anthony Knockaert and Riyad Mahrez notable success stories from Ligue 2 – however, there are a multitude of factors that go into a player arriving from abroad succeeding in their new environs. That Dacosta is coming in as ostensibly second-choice could make it harder for him to adapt to life at Coventry City.
Dacosta’s integration into the squad will at least be aided by the presence of French-speakers Wesley Jobello and Maxime Biamou, it will be down to the player and how Mark Robins manages him as to how easily he will fit in. The addition of another player from abroad is a further indication that the club is looking to act a little differently from other Championship clubs in order to establish ourselves back in the second-tier. As a free transfer and with a first-choice player already in Dacosta’s position, it seems a fairly low-risk punt on a player who will do very well if he manages to establish himself in the side.
Sideways Sammy 