Flanagan talks raise fears over future of Rose
COVENTRY City are understood to have “held talks” with departing Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan – and Sky Blues fans are worried that it could mean Michael Rose is poised to exit Ryton-on-dunsmore.
Twenty-four-yearold Rose has been subject to interest from Leeds United and Bristol City this summer, if widespread reports are to be believed, after helping Mark Robins’ side to promotion as League
One champions.
His performances in Sky Blue will have no doubt attracted the attention of “bigger” clubs.
Earlier this week CEO Dave Boddy told the Telegraph that no clubs have made an approach for
Rose, but that he is aware of the “paper talk” surrounding his future.
But Robins could well be setting out to improve his option as leftback with his reported Flanagan interest.
The Sunderland man, who joined the Black Cats in 2018, spent two seasons as a full-back for Burton Albion in the Championship where he was a regular partner of Sky Blues star Kyle Mcfadzean in defence.
During those backto-back campaigns, the now-28-yearold made 29 appearances as a left-back, ten as a right-back and only five as a central defender.
And even when Burton dropped their four-at-the-back system, Flanagan remained a regular as a wide player, scoring from leftmidfield in both their 2-1 win over
Reading and their 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Coventry are in the market for full-backs this summer and are also understood to be keen on French defender Julien Dacosta.
The Chamois Niortais man helped to fuel speculation that he is on his way to the West Midlands when he took to Instagram to follow the club’s official account and to like their post celebrating League One promotion.
Dacosta, like Flanagan, is rightfooted but can play on both sides of the defence.
The Sky Blues have also been linked with securing a return for left-back Ryan Giles who spent the final half of last season on loan with the club, making little impact as Sam Mccallum’s back-up.
And it is looking increasingly likely that Brandon Mason will depart either permanently or on loan this summer.
Mason fell out of Robins’ plans last season and, even after Mccallum completed his loan-return switch with Norwich City, failed to cement a return to the starting eleven.