In Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, the extraordinary rise of Coventry City back to the Championship in the late 2010s and early 2020s is celebrated. Despite facing a huge decline due to poor ownership, the club managed to climb back up the English football ladder in just a few seasons and even came close to making a return to the Premier League in 2022/23.
Coventry had a number of players who played a key role in this remarkable journey, earning a special place in the hearts of supporters both young and old. However, the club did miss out on some of their brightest talents during this period, with higher division teams snapping them up for bargain fees.
One such regret is the sale of James Maddison, identified as Coventry’s biggest loss. Despite manager Mark Robins nurturing a talented pool of players and guiding them to Championship promotion, Maddison slipped through the club’s fingers. Sent to Bournemouth to make his mark in the Premier League, Maddison went on to become an England international, proving he had the potential to reach great heights.
Coventry fan pundit Ryan Murphy highlighted Maddison’s departure as a significant misstep by the club’s hierarchy, especially since the manager had advised against selling the young prospect. Since leaving Coventry, Maddison’s career has flourished, with successful stints at Norwich City and Leicester City, culminating in a high-profile move to Tottenham Hotspur for £40m. While Coventry benefited from sell-on fees, fans may always wonder what could have been if Maddison had stayed to lead the Sky Blues to greater success.
