Devon ready to follow in brother’s footsteps
COVENTRY City forward Devon KellyEvans has set out his ambitions for first team football after committing himself to another year at his hometown club.
The 20-year-old Academy graduate has followed in his twin and full-back Dion’s footsteps in agreeing a oneyear extension with the Sky Blues and is looking forward to breaking into the first team where his brother has already established himself as a regular squad member.
Devon revealed he was initially unsure where his future lay after coming out of contract at the Ricoh Arena this summer but a sit-down chat with manager Mark Robins and an offer of fresh terms allayed any fears he might have had.
“It was a great meeting,” said KellyEvans, who spent the back end of the 2016/17 season on loan at non-league neighbours Nuneaton Town. “I got to speak to the gaffer for a while and we spoke about what he sees my role being and what he expects of me moving forward.
“It is what you want to hear and I was glad the deal got done.
“I am ready to take my chance now and I intend to do that.”
The versatile forward can play in several positions, including wide on the right and as a No.10, and is hoping to build on the briefest of tastes of first-team football with City when he made his professional debut as a 67th-minute substitute in the 6-1 demolition by Norwich City in the League Cup early last term.
He was, however, a regular in the pre-season friendly programme last summer and is expected to feature again next month when he’ll have the opportunity to show Robins what he can do. Kelly-Evans said: “I have a lot of aims when it comes to the new season – I want to break into the first team at Coventry and I want to establish myself there. “I have got some experience behind me now after my spell at Nuneaton. I am confident in my own ability and I feel I can do something this year. I just need to take my chance when it comes. “It is a clean slate for so many players at Coventry and I want to make the most of mine.” That confidence comes after a short but impressive spell at the Boro last season where he established himself as a regular under manager Tommy Wright who will, no doubt, be keeping a close eye on the player’s progress in the event that he becomes available for another loan spell.
“I learned to play men’s football and it did me the world of good,” said KellyEvans.
“I would encourage anyone in the 23s to do the same. It makes you realise what it is all about and for me it was so important.
“I learned about non-league as well and learned that I would not be afraid to go out again if that is what it took to play football on a regular basis. “It was a great experience.” The player is expected to receive a warm reception when he does return to the Boro this summer with Coventry who are taking part in a pre-season tournament at the end of July.
“It will be great for me, if not a bit strange,” he said. “We play Liverpool and Nuneaton and they should be great warm-up games and I am hoping to be involved, especially against Nuneaton.” campaign, scoring 27 times in his first full season with the U18s, after signing from the Strachan Football Foundation in April 2016.
Everton are also said to be keen on Ponticelli, with the Toffees’ director of football Steve Walsh said to be a keen admirer of the teen.
Asked whether he was disappointed not to make his senior debut, Ponticelli told the Strachan Football Foundation: “I was disappointed yes.
“With the way the club was going I thought I might get a chance, and with the goals I was scoring for the U18s, I thought there might be possibility of me getting an opportunity.
“Moving forward, I think I just need to keep working hard to give them no reason not to give me a chance this season.
“We are supposed to have weeks off during the off-season, but I have not given myself much time off to ensure I give myself the best chance next year.
“I want to be physically stronger than everyone else that comes in, and make sure I will get picked over anyone else that comes in.”
I have got some experience behind me now after my spell at Nuneaton. I am confident in my own ability