Mark Robins expressed his disappointment as Coventry City lost one of their promising young Academy players to Premier League champions Manchester City, while rumors circulate about Chelsea pursuing another Under-18 talent from the club.
Fifteen-year-old Marlow Barrett has officially joined the Etihad Stadium after being called up to play for England Under-15s earlier this year. When asked about the move, Robins confirmed, “That’s correct.”
On the other hand, reports suggest that 17-year-old midfielder Jack James is drawing interest from Chelsea, who are reportedly eager to strike a deal in the upcoming days. However, Robins stated, “I don’t know, I have not heard that.”
While acknowledging the disappointment of losing young talents from the Academy, Robins emphasized that it is ultimately their decision. He highlighted the hard work put into nurturing these players and expressed disappointment when bigger clubs swoop in and turn heads.
Despite the appeal of big clubs, Coventry City offers a potentially more direct path to the first team, especially in lower leagues like League One and Two. Robins insisted that this pathway still exists in the Championship, and deserving players will have opportunities to integrate into the first team based on their development and attitude.
