Sideways Sammy

Defence had looked the key area for Coventry City to strengthen heading into the Premier League, with the addition of Switzerland international centre-back, Aurele Amenda, looking to be a strong start to the defensive reinforcements. The towering defender had an impressive second half of the season in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, looking like someone with the ability to flourish in top-flight football. At 22 years old, he has a lot of scope to improve, while already being a physically powerful and technically adept footballer.

The most notable thing about Aurele Amenda from the outset is his sheer physical stature. It feels a key ingredient to add to this Coventry City side, which was arguably missing just that edge in open-play, with Amenda’s height likely to supplement the team’s existing threat from set-pieces – you would imagine he might grab his first senior goal at some point this season with this team’s dead-ball threat. However, Amenda is not just a physical lump, he can really play. The defender ranked as one of the best young passing centre-backs during his time in Switzerland, which should be helpful if the Sky Blues wish to continue playing out from the back in this coming campaign.

Aurele Amenda looks an excellent addition for Coventry City both in the short and longer-term. Someone who looks ready to come in and make an impression from his very first day, who also has plenty of good footballing years ahead of him to improve, Amenda could prove to be one of the lynchpins of a Coventry side looking to play more than one season in the Premier League in the years to come. The main concern would be Amenda’s relative inexperience, especially when it comes to playing in a potential relegation battle, which makes it important that his addition is supplemented by further defensive signings who can share the burden.